the goan I network
CANACONA
The road mishap along the NH17 at Tamnem-Poinguinim on Thursday evening, where an interstate truck crushed a local motorcyclist, has led to the revival of a long pending demand for widening the treacherous turn.
Demanding immediate widening of the deadly turn on NH17 at Namas-Tamnem, where several precious lives have been lost, Loliem-Polem Sarpanch Ajay (Ajit) Lolienkar has threatened to come on the road if the long-pending demand for widening of the road is not taken up in the next 30 days.
On Thursday evening, a 59-year-old two-wheeler rider from Maxem was knocked down and crushed by an interstate truck at Namas-Tamnem, bordering Poinguinim and Loliem-Polem villages.
According to Lolienkar, the NH17 especially at Namas-Temnem section has become a death trap for motorists taking several lives in the past.
This year, this section of NH17 saw at least three accidents where precious lives were lost while others suffered life-threatening injuries.
After realizing that a lot of accidents were taking place at the particular highway stretch, people had demanded widening of the road, but nothing happened, complained the locals.
This highway section having dangerous humps is so treacherous that vehicles travelling from either side approach blindly and realize only at the last moment by which time it becomes too late, resulting in mishaps.
Fish containers and even fuel or gas transporting tankers have turned turtle at this section, endangering the safety of local residents, residents complained.
Lolienkar said: "We have decided to give the government a month's time to pursue the road-widening works, else we will definitely stage a protest."
