Nov 22 – The Goa government is considering a significant hike in accident victim compensation, raising the amount from Rs2 lakh to Rs10 lakh under its Smart City initiatives. Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho announced the proposal after chairing a Road Safety Council meeting.The council reviewed ongoing efforts to address accident-prone black spots, many of which are slated for rectification by March 2025. Departments were directed to identify root causes of accidents, including careless and drunk driving, and implement immediate corrective measures.With Goa’s status as an accident-prone state, discussions focused on critical safety enhancements, including measures to control stray cattle on roads, improve ambulance response times, and restrict heavy machinery movement during peak hours. The council also urged pubs and bars to promote app-based taxi services to curb drunk driving incidents. To increase public awareness, continuous campaigns through short films, jingles, and better road safety signage were emphasized. The Animal Husbandry Department has been tasked with drafting a plan to manage stray cattle effectively.
