PANAJI
The North Goa District Road Safety Committee has directed the Public Works Department (National Highways) to submit an accident analysis report on the September 12 crash on the Porvorim Elevated Corridor and identify the agencies and officials responsible for its pre-opening safety audit and overall construction supervision.
The directive was issued at a meeting chaired by Additional Collector-I, North Goa, Pravin Hire Parab, amid 12 fatalities in road accidents across the district last month.
Less than 48 hours after the Porvorim flyover was opened to traffic on September 11, a fatal crash on September 13 claimed two lives.
A couple of other accidents have since been reported, though these fortunately did not result in casualties.
The committee also directed the accident analysis committees of the respective police stations to submit reports on fatal crashes recorded during the month.
Addressing other road safety concerns, the committee asked the Education Department to prepare an awareness and enforcement action plan to curb underage driving in coordination with the Directorate of Transport and the Traffic Police.
The committee also endorsed the “Don’t Drink and Drive” awareness campaign launched jointly by Goa Medical College and the North Goa District Collectorate.
Further, the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Department (AHVS) has been asked to prepare an action plan to remove stray cattle from national and state highways and specify compensation terms for vehicle-animal collision cases.
Expressing concern over fatal accidents involving broken-down vehicles left unattended on roads, the committee directed the PWD (National Highways) to submit a proposal for deploying cranes and other equipment to clear such vehicles in coordination with the Traffic Police.
To improve road infrastructure planning, all applications seeking approval for speed breakers from the District Collector must henceforth be accompanied by scale drawings prepared by the PWD.
The committee also decided to prioritise awareness and implementation of the PM Rahat cashless treatment scheme to ensure timely medical care for road accident victims.
