Motorists seek urgent safety measures
Dangerous bends along the Chorla Ghat route lead to accidents.
VALPOI
Frequent serious accidents at the serpentine bends along the Chorla Ghat stretch of the Goa–Belagavi highway have raised serious safety concerns among motorists. Drivers and daily commuters are urging the government to improve the dangerous curves and smoothen the road alignment to ensure safer traffic movement.
Over the past year, several major accidents have occurred along this ghat section, resulting in multiple fatalities. Residents and regular travellers have now called for immediate corrective measures to prevent further tragedies.
The Chorla Ghat route serves as a vital corridor connecting Goa with Belagavi in neighbouring Karnataka. With a steady rise in vehicular traffic in recent years, the importance of this highway has grown significantly.
Many Goans travel to Belagavi for shopping and other commercial activities, while residents of Belagavi frequently visit Goa. The route has therefore become an essential link for economic, social, and inter-state connectivity.
The Karnataka government has recently undertaken fresh asphalting work on its stretch of the highway, making travel smoother and encouraging increased vehicular movement. The Goa side of the road is also in relatively good condition, enabling commuters to reach Belagavi from the Sankhali–Keri side in approximately one and a half hours.
Belagavi’s well-developed markets, especially for wedding purchases and bulk goods, continue to attract shoppers from Goa, further increasing traffic density along this route.
Despite overall road improvements, the Chorla Ghat section remains particularly dangerous due to its sharp and steep curves. Accidents frequently occur when drivers lose control at these bends, with vehicles sometimes plunging into deep valleys, leading to fatal consequences.
Experts and commuters have stressed the need to widen critical curves and install stronger, reinforced crash barriers along vulnerable stretches. Although metal guardrails have been erected at certain points, they often fail during high-impact collisions, allowing vehicles to fall into the gorge. There is growing demand for permanent, high-strength protective barriers to enhance safety.
Just eight days ago, a truck transporting goods from Belagavi to Goa reportedly lost control at one of the sharp bends and plunged into a valley, killing the driver. The heavy movement of sand-laden and other goods vehicles along this route has further heightened the risk for other motorists.
Locals warn that unless concrete and long-term safety interventions are implemented, accidents will continue to occur along these winding stretches. Commuters and residents have appealed to the authorities to treat the matter with urgency and carry out comprehensive safety upgrades without delay.
