‘Engineer responsible for turning Peddem Junction into a death trap’

Aldona MLA Carlos Ferreira blamed engineers for the unplanned work, highlighting the need for installation of traffic signals at the accident-prone Pedame junction as a temporary solution.
National Highway.

He said a flyover was needed as a long-term measure at the junction, where eight to nine roads cross.

“I blame the engineers. He should be put behind bars as he has made the junction accident prone. A flyover, which is an urgent need, has not been constructed and hence, the local people have to face huge difficulties and risks,” he said.

“I had met Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and submitted a memorandum demanding a flyover at Peddem. Even the Chief Minister was present and had agreed to it.

He said, as a short-term measure, a traffic signal was approved and the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) had said they would do so but nothing happened.

“I also contacted the National Highway Authority which agreed to the request. But later I was told that the file in that regard was marked in the wrong department,” he said.

He questioned the government’s plan to involve social influencers to promote schemes, saying the government needs to do its work through influencers.

“If some influential people are giving negative publicity to Goa, they should be arrested, but if they are pointing out something then the government needs to take note of it and adopt corrective measures,” he said.