Orgao local dies under coal as two trucks collide at Quelossim
Quelossim-Loutolim road has seen many accidents
THE GOAN NETWORK
CORTALIM
Being at the wrong place at the wrong time cost him his life on Friday, when coal from a truck involved in a mishap fell on a two-wheeler rider at Quelossim.
In yet another tragic accident along the Cortalim-Quelossim road, a 52-year-old motorist from Orgao-Loutolim died in a collision between two trucks at Raidor-Quelossim on Friday morning.
According to Verna Police, the accident occurred when the coal-laden truck (GA-08-U-2195), was proceeding towards Loutolim. The truck then colliding with another truck, which was on its way towards Cortalim.
Antonio Santan Fernandes, who was trailing one of the trucks, got caught under the coal which fell off the truck. He died instantaneously.
The accident led to the traffic coming to a halt on the road and heavy traffic was diverted along the highway and a police crane and JCB were used to remove the truck and the debris from the road.
The Quelossim-Loutolim road has been a scene of many accidents. About a year ago, a school girl, Avila from Cortalim, was crushed under the wheels of a truck. As recently as about two months ago, another youth died in an accident, while several other accidents have also been reported along the route.
Stating that the locals had demanded ban on entry of heavy vehicles along the route, Cortalim Panch Raymond De Sa recalled that after the death of Avila, police were posted at the Cortalim-Quelossim junction.
“But this did not last long. The police were withdrawn and heavy vehicles started plying at breakneck speed,” said De Sa. “With the number of trucks transporting coal on the rise, such accidents will only be inevitable.”
Asked about the alternative route for heavy traffic, De Sa said the Nuvem-Arlem by-pass could be used by heavy traffic and not the narrow Quelossim-Loutolim road.
De Sa also alleged that Cortalim-Quelossim Panchayat had requested the Collector South to install speed breakers at the Cortalim Cross junction, considering the heavy flow of traffic and pedestrians including school children.
“The reply we got was that speed breakers could not be set up,” De Sa alleged.
De Sa claimed that even at insignificant places, speed breakers had been installed but surprisingly such a busy junction was ignored.
Another local, Minguel Xavier alias Milu from Quelossim, criticised the authorities for failing to stop the flow of heavy traffic.
“For some days, police were posted and were soon withdrawn, which only shows that this government has scant respect for human lives,” Xavier claimed.
When contacted, Cortalim-Quelossim Sarpanch Hillario Figueiredo said the panchayat had requested the collector for speed breakers at the Cortalim Cross, but said he did not remember the Collector's reply.
Regarding the withdrawal of cops at Cortalim-Quelossim junction, Figueiredo said he was not aware as to why the police were withdrawn.
Despite efforts, Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha could not be contacted for comments.
