CANACONA
Huge potholes at the foot of Karmalghat at Barcem-Quepem have hampered traffic along the stretch of the NH66 highway.
Traffic has now been diverted via the old and narrow Portuguese-era bridge as a temporary solution to avoid the potholes.
The PWD had recently completed construction of a culvert bridge across the existing Portuguese-era narrow bridge near the old and unused forest department storehouse close to the foot of Karmalghat at Barcem.
Access to this new bridge has been for traffic from Margao and proceeding towards Canacona as a one-way entry, leaving the old Portuguese-era Culvert bridge as one-way traffic for vehicles proceeding towards Margao.
Even before the onset of monsoon, the road to the new bridge developed two large potholes.
Besides, unsuspecting motorists travelling towards Canacona fail to notice the one-way signboard and proceed on old narrow bridge, risking the dangers of colliding with oncoming vehicles.
A truck driver who proceeded on the wrong side of the one-way entry admitted that he had failed to notice the one-way signboard.
“With almost a blind turn due to the presence of a dilapidated structure by the roadside, I saw the diversion signboard at the very last moment and could not steer the truck to my side of the road,” explained the driver.
“Besides, the one-way road is full of huge potholes and road that I inadvertently took was much better and safer.”
However, on account of the huge potholes, authorities have now permitted two-way traffic along the old and narrow Portuguese-era bridge as a temporary solution to avoid the potholes on one side of the road.
