The horrific accident at an infrastructure development site in Calangute, which reportedly claimed the life of a 32-year-old man on Tuesday night, has once again brought to the fore the issue of safety at construction and excavation sites in Goa. The tragic loss of a young life has raised serious questions about the accountability of government authorities, contractors and agencies responsible for carrying out such work. Across Goa, roads, pavements and other public spaces are frequently dug up to lay sewerage pipelines, underground cables and water pipelines. Unfortunately, at several locations, excavation work appears to be carried out without adequate barricading, warning signboards, reflectors or proper lighting to alert motorists and pedestrians to the danger ahead. Even more alarming is the practice of placing narrow wooden planks across dug-up sections to enable pedestrians to cross. Contractors executing the work must ensure that all prescribed safety measures are in place. Government departments and civic authorities supervising these projects cannot escape responsibility either. The incident reported at Calangute should serve as a wake-up call. No infrastructure project is more important than human life.
ADELMO FERNANDES, Vasco
