The State government has moved to strengthen traffic enforcement on the newly opened Porvorim elevated corridor following a fatal accident that claimed two lives within 24 hours of the stretch being opened to traffic.

PWD Minister Digambar Kamat said an intercepting radar has already been installed on the corridor as an immediate measure to monitor vehicle speeds, while cameras will also be installed shortly to detect and penalise speed violations. The notified speed limit on the elevated corridor is 65 kmph.

“On the Porvorim elevated corridor, as an immediate step we have put up intercepting radar. The notified speed limit is 65 kmph. We will take more steps soon. Cameras will also be installed,” Kamat said.

Kamat, who inspected the accident site on Sunday, said the government’s assessment was that rash and negligent driving by the four-wheeler driver was the root cause of the crash.

The accident occurred around 6 pm on Saturday near Neo Majestic Hotel when a car allegedly travelling in a rash and negligent manner hit a scooter from behind. The impact pushed the two-wheeler into a truck entering the National Highway towards Atal Setu. The scooter rider and one occupant of the car died in the crash.

The fatal accident has raised concerns over speed control and traffic discipline on the newly commissioned 5.15-km, six-lane elevated corridor, which was opened to traffic on Friday evening after a delay.

As part of further traffic management measures, Kamat also announced that two-wheelers will be banned from the newly opened elevated corridor. The entry and exit points connecting the service roads on both the Guirim and Majestic sides will also be closed.

Under the revised movement plan, motorists travelling towards Mapusa and beyond will have to use Atal Setu from Merces junction, while commuters travelling from Mapusa towards the Secretariat or Panaji will have to use the existing old route.

Meanwhile, an expert team from IIM Nagpur will conduct a detailed study of traffic movement at Merces Circle and recommend measures to tackle congestion and prevent accidents. The team will also prepare a master plan for traffic management in the area.