Damaged crash barriers on Karmal Ghat road increase risk to motorists

Canacona: Steep slopes and sharp and narrow bends besides unattended crash barriers have made the Karmal Ghat section along the NH-66 an accident-prone zone.

The crash barriers erected along the sides of the road are damaged and the authorities concerned have not repaired them for long. This poses a serious threat to motorists as a slight error in maneuvering can take them hurtling down the valley, road users said.

For the last six to eight months, the crash barriers are lying unrepaired.

The Karmal Ghat section is at a distance of about five kilometers from the Canacona police station and around 17-18 km from the Cuncolim police station.

In the last one to one-and-a-half-year, around 18 to 25 accidents have taken place on the Canacona side of the Karmal Ghat, while there were four fatal and two grievous accidents besides some minor ones on the other side, which comes under the Cuncolim police station’s jurisdiction.

Accidents occur on either sides of the Karmal Ghat as the road has sharp curves and is quite narrow, said sources in the Canacona traffic department. At times it is next to impossible for vehicles to negotiate the ghat, the source added.

Canacona traffic police inspector Mahesh Velip said some riders new to the road fail to judge the sides and meet with accidents.

“It’s difficult for both new and experienced drivers to negotiate this stretch” as in most places the road is narrow, the PI said. He said that he has written to the PWD authority concerned at least twice asking it to fix the damaged crash barriers.

Around 10 years ago, a truck swerved off the road on the Cuncolim side of this stretch and fell into the valley and caught fire.

Accidents also happen because huge trees along the stretch obstruct motorists’ vision making it difficult for them to spot oncoming vehicles, one motorist said..

PWD executive engineer Dattaprasad Kamat told TOI that the problem will be addressed soon as an agency is identified to take up reconstruction of the damaged crash barriers and cover vacant gaps.