MAPUSA
After the tragedy that snuffed out two precious lives on the newly opened Porvorim elevated corridor, comes a slew of measures aimed at preventing another disaster.
The government on Sunday moved swiftly to tighten safety on the flyover, deciding to ban two-wheelers from the elevated corridor and shut the service-road entry and exit points at Guirim and Majestic.
But the safety measures come with a significant price for motorists.
Four-wheelers travelling from Mapusa to Panaji will have to use the Atal Setu and turn at the Merces junction to come back to the capital city.
Alternatively, motorists heading from Mapusa towards the Secretariat or Panaji will have to take the old road below the elevated corridor.
The move, announced a day after the fatal accident, is likely to trigger debate over whether a newly opened six-lane corridor is becoming inaccessible to a significant section of commuters in the name of safety.
PWD Minister Digambar Kamat, accompanied by senior PWD and traffic police officials, visited the accident spot on Sunday and held an inspection following Saturday’s crash in which two persons were killed.
Kamat said safety measures would be strengthened immediately and that two-wheelers would not be permitted to use the elevated corridor.
An intercepting radar has already been installed as an immediate measure to monitor speeding, while additional cameras and other safety measures are expected to be installed shortly.
Kamat said the notified speed limit on the corridor was 65 kmph and attributed Saturday’s fatal crash to rash and negligent driving.
The minister, however, also announced a broader traffic-management exercise, with an expert team from IIM Nagpur set to conduct a detailed study of traffic movement at Merces Circle.
“The team will recommend measures to ease congestion, prevent accidents and prepare a master plan for traffic management in the area,” Kamat said.
The government's rapid response has sought to address safety concerns following the first major tragedy on the newly inaugurated corridor.
But the restrictions have already begun drawing sharp reactions from commuters, with concerns that ordinary motorists could end up bearing the brunt of the new arrangements.
“Paisewallancho BJP sarkar. Middle class people can’t use this flyover and save time. Wah!” said Mapusa resident Abhijit Shinde in a social media reaction.
