Rising toll on Canacona bypass sparks calls for safety measures

Canacona: The Manohar Parrikar Bypass (NH 66) from Char Rasta to Mashem has become a major accident hotspot, with frequent crashes attributed to poor lighting, overspeeding, stray animals and road depressions.

Over the years, the 7.4-km stretch has witnessed several fatal accidents, prompting residents to demand urgent corrective measures.

In a recent incident, a family travelling from Karwar to Margao collided with a bull on the highway during heavy rain. Poor visibility and inadequate lighting reportedly prevented the driver from spotting the animal in time. A woman in the car sustained serious injuries and was shifted to a hospital in Margao after initial treatment. The bull was also critically injured.

“It is the duty of the concerned departments to identify the causes of these accidents, which are claiming human and animal lives, leaving families without breadwinners and causing farmers to lose valuable livestock,” said a senior citizen from Canacona.

Residents have urged the public works department (PWD) to investigate the recurring accidents and implement safety measures.

In April 2026, three people, including a four-year-old boy and a senior citizen, were seriously injured in a crash on the bypass. In March, a 23-year-old man from Karnataka died near Rajbagh, while another person was critically injured after a two-wheeler crashed into a road divider.

Locals say non-functional streetlights and poorly lit stretches make night driving hazardous. They also point to frequent overspeeding and the removal of some dividers to create openings as factors contributing to accidents.