the goan I network
VASCO
A fatal accident at St Andrew’s junction in Vasco on Monday claimed the life of Dilip Dongrekar (64), a ghazal singer of repute from Mundvel-Vasco.
According to reports, Dongrekar was a pillion rider on a scooter (GA-08-S-9130) driven by Prasad Kantak (63) of New Vaddem and they were proceeding towards Vasco.
On reaching the St Andrew’s junction, a moving dumper truck (GA-06-T-0332) rammed the scooter from the rear. Both riders fell off the scooter and while Kantak fell on the right side, Dongrekar came under the rear tyres of the truck and was crushed to death. The truck driver fled from the scene.
Vasco Police rushed to the site and diverted traffic while conducting the panchanama. They registered an offence of rash and negligent driving against the truck driver and PSI Prashant Bhagat is investigating the case.
Expressing shock and anger over the fatal mishap, several residents of Vasco have demanded widening of the road near St Andrew’s junction. They claimed that while speeding trucks and
tippers going to MPT have been involved in several accidents, they have also pointed out that the approach road near the St Andrew’s junction from Dabolim to Vasco is very narrow.
Speaking to the media, Prashant Lotlikar, a friend of the deceased ghazal singer, said the narrow road was the primary cause for the fatal accident.
“Dilip would have been alive had the scooter not been hit by the truck which tried to squeeze along the narrow road. Many people have met with accidents on this narrow stretch of the road.”
“We have been informed that the area near the road is already acquired and there were plans to widen it, but nothing has been done till date. I appeal to Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida to expedite the widening of the road if land has been acquired or he can start the
acquisition process so that other innocent lives can be saved,” said Lotlikar.
Social activist and convenor of Mormugao Yuva Morcha Kiran Naik has demanded that movement of heavy vehicles be stopped during the day. “While trucks speed through the F L Gomes road, there are many schools along this road and as such movement of heavy vehicles during the day must be stopped completely,” said Naik.
Social activist Pritam Keluskar said the traffic department must act on speeding vehicles. “Not only trucks and tippers, there are local buses which are also involved in racing for the sake of picking up more passengers. Buses compete with each other and usually pose a danger to motorists and pedestrians. There have been many accidents due to over-speeding and as such the RTO and traffic officials must act in this matter,” said Keluskar.
