Junction at Dandeavaddo NH17 A massive gathering at this Junction attempted to highlight the dangers after recent tragic death of a local.In the past too it has been scene of fatal accidents and other serious ones too. Mr Churchill on request immediately had fixed speed breakers on 3 link roads but the objections stalled speed breakers on main road .The arrangements on entry roads are eliminated after hot mixing..The road from Chinchinim slopes down on to the highway and is a dangerous entry.There is heavy, constant movemnt from 3 adjoing villages to Chinchinim due to market Church ,library schools, banks ,post office etc Fortunately the students are off the road, but earlier for brief moment presence of traffic police at school hours was a relief.The rumblers installed now as an alternative defeated the very purpose of stoping hump speed breakers. The Major District Road has been redesignated as NH17 passing through thickly populated area.All attempts to divert it have not been fruitful, but on the contrary it is propsed to extend it into 6 lanes facility likely to compound the problem further The hordes of cattle menace aggravates the risk fiurther. The overhanging fragile trees have snapped transmission lines causing serious accidents . For a distance over a KM. It is a straight stretch and any entry on main road from sides is totally blocked from view. The solution for traffic ligts estimated at about 4 lakhs is pending for years for implementation. Jumping of signals by motorists cannot ensure safety. The rumblers at Sirlim would be more appropriate at Dandeavaddo but wisdom and parochialism takes precedence over reality The direction of Court and undertaking by Govt to dismantle speed breakers from Highways is awaiting action It will a temporary relief if speed breakers are installed here.The rumblers at present are no hindrance at all . Infact it will be a catastrophy for assuming the slowing down of traffic as it is no deterence at all The Panchayat is the main forum to propose safety measures within its jurisdiction but unfortunately at the protest meet commotion was created due to it's absence due to non invite. What is feasible immediately is to clear the blind spot by removing the obstruction that block the view of main road ,as Govt has acquired and paid for land and structures way back in 1988.The NHA has turned blind eye by permitting illegal structures ,but officially denies permission within 45 metres from the centre and best cure is to divert the propsed extension as suggested by residents.More fatal or serious accidents are waiting to happen if authorities take a lackadaisical stand
Nelson Lopes Chinchinim
