Abdul Wahab Khan
Panaji
A total of 43 accident spots – comprising 30 black spots and 13 accident-prone zones – have been identified across Goa for 2024, with the Vadakade-Porvorim stretch on National Highway 66 recording 94 accidents over three years, according to data tabled before the State Road Safety Council.
The north district accounts for 22 spots – 16 black spots and six accident-prone zones – while the south district has 21, comprising 14 black spots and seven accident-prone zones under the District Road Safety Committees.
In the north, the Vadakade stretch at Porvorim on NH 66 recorded 26 accidents in 2024, 44 in 2023 and 24 in 2022. The Delfino’s Porvorim stretch on the same highway recorded 62 accidents between 2022 and 2024, including 11 fatal accidents and 13 deaths. The Merces Circle Junction on NH 748 recorded 74 accidents with three fatalities, while the Dhargal stretch on NH 66 recorded 58 accidents, including nine fatal accidents and nine deaths. The Kadamba Bypass Road near Sai Baba Temple at Ribander on NH 748 recorded 59 accidents with four fatalities.
In south district, the stretch near Carmel College, Nuvem on NH 66 recorded 66 accidents over three years, including six fatalities. The Livrament Chapel stretch at Arlem recorded 53 accidents with three deaths. The Usgao-Ponda stretch on NH 748 recorded 18 accidents with six fatalities. The Pirni circle at Verna on NH 66 recorded 48 accidents and three deaths.
The Public Works Department said that 14 of the 35 National Highway black spots are being addressed through expansion of NH 66. An elevated corridor at Porvorim, expected by October, is likely to address four black spots. Work at 13 black spots was expected to be completed by May 2025, while four more are targeted by March 2026. Short-term measures such as blinkers, rumble strips and signage have been provided at identified spots.
The North District Road Safety Committee has restricted movement of heavy vehicles during daytime in Panaji, Mapusa and Porvorim and is using eDAR and iRAD portals for monitoring accident data. The south district committee has impounded over 300 stray cattle and restricted heavy vehicles to off-peak hours.
Officials said administrative and budgetary constraints remain, with a proposal for patrolling vehicles rejected and a statewide signage plan returned for revision.
