THE GOAN NETWORK
CANACONA
With four road mishaps taking place in Canacona taluka on Thursday itself, an unhappy Canacona MLA Isidore Fernandes questioned the absence of the Disaster Management Authority (DMA) in responding to such incidents in the taluka.
Fernandes was addressing a news conference on Friday, after three road mishaps in quick succession along a narrow stretch of the NH-66 highway in Canacona taluka on Thursday not only disrupted traffic along the route, but had also posed a challenge to authorities in tackling the incidents.
A fourth mishap took place on Thursday midnight, when a Scorpio jeep crashed into a roadside tree at Partagal.
Expressing concern in all four incidents, Fernandes said: “Where was the DMA? Apart from the fire services and police, the much-needed action by DMA was missing at all three accident
sites.”
“A kind-hearted resident and I had made efforts to clear the road blockade on the NH-66 highway by attempting to remove the fallen tanker. When our efforts failed, I approached the contractors working on the four-lane and bridge works and requested for a crane, which ultimately helped in removing the fallen tanker and clear the highway.”
“The collector has to take cognizance of this situation and I request the RTO and Traffic Police to be patrolling on the road to regulate and control the speed of vehicles plying along this narrow section of the NH-66
highway.”
“There are still no warning signboards and controlling the speed of vehicles is the need of the hour to avert the frequent mishaps, which has endangered people in Canacona taluka.”
The Canacona MLA demanded action against those officers found neglecting their duties.
“I call upon the transport minister to act against non-performing officers or else, I request those officers who do not want to perform to seek voluntary transfers. Otherwise, we elected members will be forced to come on the streets to control this mindless traffic along the NH-66 highway in Canacona taluka,” said Fernandes.
