The government’s decision to ban all two-wheelers from the newly opened six-lane Porvorim Elevated Corridor following a tragic accident that claimed two lives and injured two others deserves reconsideration. CCTV footage circulated on social media reportedly shows a four-wheeler travelling at high speed before crashing into an Activa scooter. If overspeeding was the primary cause, why should two-wheeler riders be selectively punished by being denied access to the flyover? Two-wheeler users pay road taxes and deserve equal access to public infrastructure. If safety concerns justify banning them on Porvorim, why are similar restrictions not imposed on other flyovers? During the past two-and-a-half years of construction, two-wheeler riders arguably faced the greatest hardship, navigating congested roads and dust pollution while travelling between Panaji and Mapusa. Instead of a blanket ban, the government should improve entry and exit roads, install clear speed-limit signs, deploy AI-enabled cameras, monitor vehicle speeds and impose hefty fines on offenders. Strict enforcement against overspeeding and reckless driving, rather than selective restrictions, is the more practical solution to preventing future accidents.
JERRY FFERNANDES, Saligao
