District committee asks departments to act on encroachments
PANAJI
The North Goa District Road Safety Committee on Tuesday discussed the problem of pavements being taken over by temporary stalls during fairs and exhibitions. The issue came up after last week’s accident in which a private bus rammed into the Ashtami fair near Panaji market, injuring three people.
The meeting, chaired by Additional Collector I Gurudas Desai at the Secretariat, focused on pedestrian safety and repeated cases of pavement encroachments. Sources told *The Goan* that the committee asked the Public Works, Municipal Administration, Traffic Police and Transport departments to give detailed reports on encroachments and pothole repairs at its next meeting.
The accident happened around 8.45 am on August 23, before the stalls had opened. Police said the bus driver lost control, hit a stall, crashed into a newly built Smart City bus shelter, and then struck a two-wheeler before stopping.
The meeting also discussed rules for temporary road closures and procedures for pothole repairs.
GOACAN, which is part of the committee, suggested road safety training for panchayat committees through GIPARD, awareness drives at Konkan Railway stations in Karmali, Tivim and Pernem, and at Manohar International Airport, as well as the involvement of school transport committees.
Officials also reviewed progress on trauma care facilities at Mapusa District Hospital, increasing compensation under the Goa State Interim Compensation to Road Accident Victim Scheme, and putting up road safety signs on beaches.
The committee decided to observe State Road Safety Week from September 8 to 14.
