the goan I network
VASCO
While traffic jams and dust pollution on account of ongoing works on the new Zuari bridge project have become a regular problem for motorists, commuters and pedestrians, they have been faced with yet another challenge.
The lack of illumination along the route between the Agassaim bypass and Bambolim has posed several difficulties and threats to people travelling along the route.
Several electricity poles along the route are non-functional and number of projections along the road, sudden road diversions and ongoing bridge work has only added to the dangers confronting motorists and commuters.
Motorists have hit out at officials of the highway, PWD and power departments for failing to provide illumination along the road, adding that the stretch is well illuminated only during the visit of national leaders in Goa.
Deadly protrusions
“I travel along the route on a daily basis and the road between the Agassaim bypass and Bambolim is totally dark after dusk. Being a frequent motorist along the route, I am aware of the road diversions and the sudden protrusions of bridge works, but an unsuspecting motorist could easily be involved in a mishap, as none of the street lights are functional,” said a motorist, Ramesh Naik.
“However, every street light pole has an advertisement board and this suggests that while the power department may be earning through advertisement, they have ignored the safety of motorists,” said Naik. Another motorist, Naresh Karapurkar, said that while street lights are mostly non-functional, they are surprisingly illuminated when central ministers arrive in Goa.
“We have to travel for weeks along the roads without street lights, but if a central minister arrives in Goa, the roads are suddenly and brightly illuminated with street lights,” said Karapurkar.
Another motorist, Pritam Naik, said ongoing Zuari bridge works and heavy traffic had made the dark stretch of the highway a nightmare for motorists and pedestrians alike.
