Trucks have continued to tumble on the narrow NH66 in Canacona and in the latest incident, a truck fell into a paddy field at Gulem.
The container truck was, however, pulled out later in the day.
“In my effort to avoid a collision with an oncoming school bus, I steered towards the left, but the truck fell into the pit and went off the road,” said the driver.
A few farmers at the site said Friday’s mishap is the seventh in the last two months in Gulem area.
“Neither the vehicle owners nor the government compensates us for the crop damages, and to add salt to our wounds, vehicle owners ask us to approach courts for redressal of our grievances,” complained a local farmer.
“Courts takes 10-12 years to give us justice. On the one hand, the government tells us to do farming and on the other hand, negligence of PWD in widening the highway has caused these problems.”
Added another passing motorist: “Due to such frequent mishaps, the only ones benefiting are crane operators, who reportedly charge anywhere between Rs 40,000 and Rs 50,000 to retrieve the vehicles.”
