PHOTOS: Sharp bends and the absence of crash barriers along the Redeghat stretch of the Valpoi–Panaji highway pose a serious threat to motorists, with repeated accidents raising urgent concerns over road safety.Photos by Afaq Khan*Redeghat turns accident hotspot, residents seek urgent road safety measures*Multiple vehicles plunge into gorge; fatal crashes and narrow culverts raise concerns over road safetyValpoi: A series of accidents along the Redeghat stretch of the Valpoi-Panaji highway has raised serious concerns over road safety in Sattari, with residents and regular commuters demanding urgent intervention to prevent further casualties.The approximately 2-km ghat section, marked by sharp bends, narrow culverts and limited visibility, has witnessed several fatal accidents and incidents of vehicles plunging into the gorge over the past years. Commuters have called for crash barriers, road widening, streetlights and stricter enforcement of speed limits.In the latest incident, a car overturned at Redeghat on Sept 24 after colliding with the protective wall of a culvert. The occupants escaped without injuries, but the incident has once again highlighted the dangers posed by the road’s narrow sections and sharp curves.The stretch has witnessed fatal accidents in the past. In March 2025, a 20-year-old youth died following a collision between two scooters. In June that year, a 40-year-old woman working as a security guard was killed when a truck rammed into the scooter on which she was travelling as a pillion rider.Residents said the presence of at least eight to 10 sharp turns within the short stretch makes driving particularly hazardous, especially at night and during the monsoon.“The authorities must strictly enforce speed limits in this area. Installing strong metal crash barriers along the outer edges of dangerous curves would help prevent vehicles from plunging into the valley,” locals said.Rehan Shah, a resident of Valpoi who regularly uses the road, pointed to the narrow culvert sections as a major safety concern. He said several sharp bends were located over culverts, restricting the available road width and making it difficult for motorists to negotiate the curves safely.He called for the extension of culvert structures and widening of the road at vulnerable points to improve safety.Several vehicles have also plunged into the valley. In April 2025, a car veered off the road into a gorge, while an SUV and a container truck met with similar accidents in Sept. In Jan 2026, a hatchback car plunged nearly 10 metres down the gorge. Another car fell around eight metres into the valley in April this year. The occupants in these incidents reportedly escaped with minor injuries.Valpoi-based advocate Shivaji Dessai said that providing and maintaining safe roads is a fundamental responsibility of govt. He stressed that road infrastructure plays a vital role in ensuring public mobility and promoting the economic, social and educational development of communities.He urged the authorities to prioritise the urgent improvement of the accident-prone stretch to safeguard commuters and prevent further loss of life.Motorists have also demanded streetlights along the entire stretch, saying poor visibility at night increases the risk of accidents.Residents have urged the concerned authorities to conduct a safety assessment of the entire stretch and implement measures, including crash barriers, wider culverts, warning signs, speed regulation and street lighting, on priority.Commuters fear that without timely intervention, the accident-prone stretch could witness further tragedies.
