Dangerous turns on Chorla Ghat raise safety concerns

A car travelling from Belagavi towards Goa caught fire after veering off the road along one of the dangerous turns at Chorla Ghat.

VALPOI

Motorists and local residents have raised concerns over the dangerous bends and risky stretches along the Chorla Ghat road connecting Goa and Belagavi.

Several accidents have reportedly occurred at different bends in the ghat section over the past six months, prompting demands for urgent safety measures such as road widening, crash barriers and protective walls. Locals fear the situation may worsen during the monsoon.

A few days ago, a Maharashtra-registered car travelling from Belagavi towards Goa reportedly went off the road at a dangerous bend and caught fire. Though no casualties were reported, the vehicle was completely destroyed.

The Chorla Ghat route is considered important for travel and trade between Goa and Belagavi, and traffic has increased significantly in recent years. Many Goans regularly travel to Belagavi for shopping and other purposes.

However, sharp curves, narrow stretches and the lack of protective barriers at several points have led to a rise in accidents. Several winding bends between Keri and the Goa border are especially risky for vehicles entering Goa from the Belagavi side. At some locations, blind curves prevent drivers from seeing oncoming traffic, increasing the danger of vehicles plunging into deep valleys.

Residents have demanded retaining walls and crash barriers at accident-prone spots, saying strong barriers near deep valleys could help reduce fatal accidents. They said vehicles involved in night-time accidents often fall into gorges, delaying rescue operations.

Locals also fear heavy monsoon rains could trigger landslides, causing road blockages and leaving travellers stranded in the forest area for hours. Last year, several travellers reportedly remained stranded overnight after a landslide. Citizens have urged the government to take preventive measures before the monsoon season.