EDITORIAL
Implement suggestions of the Road Safety Committee’s monitoring cell on priority
Conducting safety inspections at road stretches in the news for being accident-prone zones or disaster spots is always important to mitigate risks and ensure the safety, health and well-being of the public. Failure to do so can lead to severe consequences, including injury to persons and damage to property.
Recently, two such inspections have been conducted – one at the Goa Medical College (GMC) junction in Bambolim and the other at the Merces traffic junction and near the KTC terminus. Both were conducted by the District Road Safety Committee (DRSC) monitoring cell.
The inspection at Bambolim identified safety lapses and infrastructure gaps at subways, service roads and bus stops opposite the GMC. Carried out by 14 stakeholder departments, including representatives of local panchayats, PWD, electricity, resident doctors, etc, the inspection carried out last week found poorly maintained pedestrian and vehicular subways, non-functional lighting systems and unauthorised parking in designated bus bays, contributing to traffic congestion. Choked drains were flagged as potential mosquito breeding grounds. Jurisdictional issues among agencies were also noted, with overlapping responsibilities affecting maintenance and accountability. The Public Works Department, Electricity Department and local authorities were found to have overlapping roles without defined maintenance protocols.
The inspection also reviewed fire prevention measures and garbage management in the hospital zone. Other issues identified included exposed electrical wiring and lack of clarity on departmental responsibilities. A representative of the Kadamba Transport Corporation said bus drivers face operational challenges due to the absence of designated bus stops, leading to halts in unauthorised areas, creating safety risks. It is good that the committee has directed the installation of a helpline and WhatsApp numbers at all four subway entrances for reporting safety concerns.
The Merces traffic junction has been in the news on and off for all the wrong reasons. Traffic signals have failed in the past, putting policemen in a spot amidst traffic chaos. Hence, the joint inspection was the need of the hour.
Here too, it was a multi-department inspection, consisting of representatives from transport agencies, CCP, fire services, police and NGO Goacan. Issues flagged included traffic congestion, poor maintenance, lack of coordination, missing pedestrian pathways and improper signage. Among the decisions taken was the setting up of a helpline system at the junction to facilitate citizens to report issues directly. The authorities also ordered the removal of encroachments at Merces junction and the removal of debris, unused poles and construction material obstructing traffic and pedestrian movement. A major concern was the discovery of an exposed underground gas pipeline not far from the KTC terminus. Landing points from Atal Setu were also flagged. There are issues of waterlogging during monsoon at the foot of the bridge. The authorities are aware of it but have hardly taken any steps to address it. The functioning of the AI-based traffic surveillance system was also reviewed.
The objective of the inspections was to make the junction road-user friendly and road safety-friendly for both motorists and pedestrians, and to ensure the smooth flow of traffic. It is good for the state that the District Road Safety Committee (DRSC) monitoring cell is active. It is only due to non-official members that safety issues can be raised in the interest of the public. Given the present system, many officers do not speak out. At least now, the government must look at the findings of the audit conducted at both places and ensure that the recommendations are followed.
