Times News NetworkMargao: Twelve fatal accidents and 17 grievous injuries were recorded in July in the South Goa and Kushavati districts, yet several safety measures meant to prevent such crashes remain pending, going by the minutes of the South Goa district road safety committee (SGDRSC) meeting held recently.Many works discussed are yet to be completed. Rumble strips near Balli on NH-66 will be put up only “when there is a dry spell”, the NH division told the committee. Blinkers at the exit of Kadamba bus stand will be erected shortly, while temporary speed breakers will come only after the monsoon. Officials were directed to expedite both works and file action-taken reports.On illegal parking of trucks between Navelim and Cuncolim on NH-66, the NH division said a task force must be formed as per a Supreme Court order before further action. Chairperson and deputy collector Ana Rita Maria Paes said a meeting would be convened at the earliest.Road safety group Goacan flagged the lack of a pedestrian walkway in the Ponda market. A recent joint inspection by the PWD, Ponda municipal council and Goacan found that it caused a lot of inconvenience to road users. Goacan also raised the poor state of the footpath on NH-66 between KTC bus stand and Cuncolim police station, and sought implementation of Supreme Court order on removing encroachments from pavements.Activist Nikhil Dessai, an invitee, asked that all hump-type speed breakers in South Goa be removed in favour of road calming measures. The member secretary said AI cameras are already installed and action would depend on the report.On elevated corridors, the NH division said the Honda showroom-Arlem stretch will be taken up only after the Union road transport ministry finalises the detailed project report (DPR). A proposal for a vehicular underpass near Majorda junction, part of the Toyota showroom-Western Bypass corridor, has been forwarded to the authorities concerned, it was stated.
