Recently, while traveling from Ponda towards Ribandar I took a right turn at the underpass to go towards. To my shock I was asked to pay a fine of Rs 500. I obliged and paid the fine as I was at fault. However, the truth is that the circumstances at the site were what caused me to break the law.
Firstly, the ‘No Entry’ signboard is not adequately visible on approach and can be seen only after one has committed to take a right turn. Secondly, the police personnel posted at the junction also choose to stand at the exit of the underpass, which is wrong considering they could prevent people from entering the ‘No Entry’ zone.
It seems the positions of the signboard and the police personnel as deliberately placed to collect the maximum number of fines from unsuspecting travellers. This is akin to highway banditry of the past. I hope the authorities take adequate measures at the junction.
