Panaji: Two more elevated corridors are planned at accident-prone stretches of NH 66 at Pernem and Navelim, where a combined 36 accidents and nine fatalities were reported.The proposed corridors will come up on a 500m stretch from Naibag to Porascadem in Pernem and another 500m stretch from Happy Soda Factory to Furtado Petrol Pump at Bellem, Navelim. Both stretches have been identified as black spots due to repeated accidents.At Naibag, an automatic traffic signal was installed on the stretch, but authorities subsequently proposed an elevated road after 23 accidents were reported between 2022 and 2023. The crashes resulted in four deaths, two grievous injuries, and six minor injuries.At Bellem, 13 accidents, including five fatalities, were reported on the NH 66 stretch. Officials said a letter has already been issued to the bidder to undertake the work.The projects follow the construction of the 5.1km Porvorim elevated corridor and overpasses under construction at Dhargalim and Peddem, all linked to accident-prone stretches.The Rs 641-crore Porvorim corridor was opened to traffic on Sept 11. However, concerns have emerged over its traffic-management design, with accidents continuing on the stretch. Two people were killed in an accident shortly after traffic movement began on the elevated corridor.Meanwhile, the Union ministry of road transport and highways has appointed an agency to study traffic problems at Titan Circle at Verna and recommend long-term measures.Signboards and lane delineators have already been installed there. However, permanent measures are being considered after 48 accidents, including four fatalities and three grievous injuries, were reported on the 500m stretch from Titan junction to Pirni Circle between 2022 and 2024.
