PANAJI
The State government took no time to point fingers at three prime reasons for a sharp rise in accidents, one being drunk driving; and to curb the menace, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant specifically instructed Traffic and Transport departments to step up enforcement.
Ironically, the same government just recently rejected a proposal to procure additional alcohol breath analysers despite over 50 per cent devices being out of order. Not this alone, another proposal for speed radars is gathering dust.
Marathon meetings chaired by Sawant to review accidents and resultant fatalities discussed how drunken driving, non-compliance with traffic rules and blind overtaking are major contributors to serious accidents. In a series of road safety measures put forth, the CM asked the enforcement agencies to strengthen the drive against drunk driving.
The Goan has reliably learnt that a proposal to procure 30 alcometers was rejected last year. Reason “ not known. This comes despite several Traffic Cells (TC) reporting non-functional analyser devices.
“Each TC is sanctioned around 4-5 alcometers while those located in the heavily populated places such as Margao, Panaji, etc get more. In several months, many TC reported that their devices are not working and needed replacement. A proposal was accordingly drafted, approved by seniors and subsequently submitted to the government that rejected the need for any additional devices,” said a senior officer.
Of 10 alcometers allotted to Margao TC, only 20 percent are functional whereas Dabolim TC “ that handles the busy airport jurisdiction “ does not have a single device in working condition.
Sources said that once the device is out of order, it needs a replacement as it cannot be fixed.
The department, in 2018, had procured 100 alcometers besides four laser speed radar guns to clamp down heavily on the menace. Many have phased out with some TC unofficially sharing their devices as a temporary arrangement, particularly in the coastal areas during the peak season.
With the present situation on the road worrying the State, a fresh proposal could be placed for approval even as the Transport Department has already chalked out its requirement.
