VASCO
In the absence of traffic signals and traffic police at the MES College junction, college students and pedestrians struggle on a daily basis to avoid the speeding highway traffic and cross over to the other side.
The presence of a Zebra-Crossing at the site has done virtually nothing to protect the interest of the pedestrians and the area has quickly turned into one of the most accident-prone areas in Mormugao taluka.
The MES college junction connects the busy four-lane highway between Verna and Vasco, while also providing a connecting road to the college and Birla.
Heavy traffic, commercial and private vehicles zoom along the highway, making it perilous for MES college students and other pedestrians to cross over to the other side of the highway.
Students have expressed surprise that authorities are yet to install traffic signals or post traffic police at the busy junction to regulate traffic.
"We have made several representations to all authorities concerned and our long-pending demand for a traffic signal along this junction has fallen on deaf ears," complained a student, who was struggling to cross the highway.
"This is a very dangerous junction and students find it difficult to cross the highway with heavy vehicles speeding dangerously in every direction," said the student on condition of anonymity.
A third year BCom student and former MES college cultural secretary Mayuresh Shetye felt that the police have been selective in making their presence at the dangerous junction.
"The only time we see traffic police at every 100 mtrs here is when VIPs or ministers are travelling between the airport and their destinations," said Shetye.
Residents in the locality have also expressed concern over the danger while crossing the junction.
"During peak hours, huge groups of students and pedestrians attempt to cross over to get in or alight from local buses. We keep our fingers crossed hoping that no accident takes place. We want authorities to immediately install traffic signals here," said Pratiksha Patnaik, who resides in the area.
