the goan I network
VASCO
There has been a growing demand among motorists and locals for a barricade along a dangerous culvert along the NH 17A highway at Sancoale.
According to sources, a culvert along a sharp turn near the Chicalim Panchayat ground has been without a barricade for several days.
Sources said that the boundary wall of the culvert was damaged and subsequently collapsed after a speeding car hit the wall some days back and the culvert is dangerously without a protection fence ever since.
Residents have claimed that several speeding cars are caught unaware of the fact that the culvert is without a barricade and the stream below the culvert is visible only at the last moment.
Speaking to reporters, social activist Preetam Keluskar said a tourist vehicle had gone crashing into the stream below the culvert. “While locals know aware there is no barricade on the culvert, vehicles from other places zooming on the highway especially at night are unaware that the barricade is not there and vehicles could fall off the culvert while negotiating a sharp turn,” said Keluskar.
Former Chicalim Panchayat Sarpanch Nilima Naik said the barricade on the culvert was of utmost importance. “The culvert had no barricade and there are several times when vehicles miss falling off the culvert. We are in the tourist season and many vehicles are expected to be moving along this road. The PWD must act before a tragedy takes place,” said Naik.
