MARGAO/MAPUSA: The cyclists have voiced their concerns due to constant problems faced by the cyclists by the street gutter covers installed by the government at Tar, Bastora.
The cyclists claim that their cycle wheels often get caught in the gutter wedges which has resulted in multiple accidents.
On Friday, the cyclists expressed dissatisfaction and frustration over this issue as they find it very difficult to cross the metal gutter covers with their cycles. Due to the narrow width of the cycle tyres, they regularly get trapped into the wide wedges of the metal gutter cover. The cyclists even lamented that one of their cyclists got severely injured since he fell from his cycle after his front wheel got stuck in the gutter wedge.
“It was a regular morning ride which ended abruptly when I had a major fall. I was flung when my front wheel was jammed in the gaps between the grating over a cross drain on the road between Old Chowgule College to Power House, near Yashodhan Hospital. The faulty design is giving way to life-threatening dangers to cyclists,” Sameer Nadkarni said.
In Goa, there are numerous cycling clubs and many locals who do cycling every morning. This issue poses a huge problem as the large cyclists community of Goa. To avoid future mishaps the cyclists have urged the PWD authorities to change the gutter covers. They have requested to use concrete slotted slabs to cover cross drains on roads, which are more suitable for cycling and make the Goan roads safe for cyclists.
Meanwhile, Mapusa locals have also been raising alarm over the dangerous and wide wedges of the metal gutter covers which are a risk to pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists alike. Agnelo D'Souza a local from the area stated, "It's a big risk for pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists, while crossing the gutter covers with wide wedges. With monsoons fast approaching such a situation could give rise to fatalities if not tackled on time. This issue must be promptly addressed. It is a question of threat to life and possibility of accidents. Lack of illumination now and fast approaching monsoons can be dangerous to lives of people."
When contacted, Assistant Engineer Div VII (Highways) Dinesh Tari said that he has been informed about the same by Mapusa MLA Joshua D'Souza and promised to act within the next week. He informed that certain gaps have to be maintained on the metal gutter railings to ensure drainage and air circulation in gutters or else there could be severe problems.