the goan I network
CANACONA
Rejecting public demand to stop heavy vehicular traffic along the NH66 highway via Polem border as impractical, authorities have, however, assured to streamline traffic discipline along the accident-prone section between Polem and Karmalghat (Gulem).
Following demands by aggrieved residents, a meeting was convened at the Poinguinim panchayat hall on Monday evening, which was attended by several officials, including the Canacona deputy collector, mamlatdar and police, as well as officials from PWD (Highway), RTO and Forest.
During an interactive session with residents of Canacona, authorities responded to the main demand of banning entry of heavy vehicular traffic via Polem and explained it was impractical to ban traffic on a national highway.
The police and RTO officials pointed out that in the absence of proper speed limitations/identifications of highway sections, they are unable to challan or penalize traffic violators.
When locals sought to blame the PWD (Highway) for lack of speed signboards and other measures to make highway driving safer, Dy Collector Sagun Velip asked for an inspection report of the Polem-Karmalghat (Gulem) section of NH-66 highway and accordingly, fixed February 19 as the day for the inspection.
The inspection team which will comprise officials from PWD (highway), RTO, police and forest, will recommend areas where speed-breakers, speed-limit and other signboards are needed.
The deputy collector has instructed officials to complete the entire process of identifying and erecting speed-breakers and signboards within 15 days time and to submit a compliance report to him.
Canacona Mamlatdar Raghuraj Desai, Dy SP (South) Uttam Raut Desai, Assistant Director of Transport (ADT) Vinod Arlekar, PWD (Highways) AE Patil, Forest officers and other RTO and police officials were present at the meeting.
Loliem-Polem Sarpanch Ajay Lolienkar who was present for the interaction said residents will keep a close watch on measures that authorities have planned in a bid to tackle accidents along the highway in Canacona.
