OLD GOA
A day after the death of a senior citizen Venkatesh Karapurkar at the dreaded Chimbel junction, things have started moving towards temporary measures to stop mishaps in the area.
Among the steps being taken include increasing the number and the thickness of rumblers located at the start of the downward slope so that the speed of vehicles in brought under control.
Earlier, there were 10 rumblers which have now been increased to 18 and work was underway to increase the thickness of them.
Apart from that, the levelling of the area where a house was demolished has also been taken up.
As demanded by locals, the timing of the signal for the Chimbel road has been increased to allow the villagers cross safely.
However, work to install speed breakers, another demand of locals, has not yet started and it remains to be seen whether authorities will undertake the same.
Earlier in the day, St Cruz MLA Rudolf Fernandes accompanied by a large number of locals held discussions with the deputy collector, traffic officials, PWD officials and others on ways to prevent mishaps at the Chimbel junction.
After much discussion, it was decided to increase the number and width of the rumblers at the start of the downward slope.
It was also decided to install speed breakers at two other places before the vehicles reach the junction so that the speed decreases by the time the vehicles reach the junction.
“A decision was also taken to level the area where the government had demolished a house to undertake widening of the road,” MLA Fernandes informed.
Fernandes further stated that PWD officials have assured that work on the overbridge would be taken up in August.
“We are going to see that assurances by authorities are fulfilled, otherwise we would be forced to again come on the road,” he added.
When questioned on the undue delay in undertaking the work despite several such inspections in the past, Fernandes said the need of the hour is to constantly follow up with the government on the issue.
“Coming here, giving assurances and then sleeping over them doesn’t help,” Fernandes opined and added that one should have the will to get work done.
Deputy Collector Vivek Naik, PWD Superintending Engineer Allan Pereira, Traffic PI Brandon de Souza, Chimbel ZP member Girish Uskaikar, Sarpanch Manisha Chopdekar, panch Sandesh Chopdekar and others were present.
