Plans of Margao-Panjim traffic diversion for one whole year come as a rude shock to Goans. If the existing route threw big challenges for motorists, the latest move will prolong the agony even further. Going by plans, traffic will be cut off at Verna highway near Toyota showroom and proceed towards the Airport junction before taking the Chicalim road that eventually connects to the highway at the Cortalim circle. This means people will now have another test of patience, negotiating narrow stretches of road along the extended 18-km route.
Strange are ways of the government. Sketches, plans, requirements and diversions are normally planned, discussed and approved much before works begin. In the absence of public hearings, it’s the government’s responsibility to keep people informed. And this cannot be done by any inconspicuous way. Citizens cannot be taken for granted and told to change course at short notice. Why were diversion plans not put in public domain? Why was the local MLA and panchayat not involved?
This is not a stop-gap arrangement for a few days. People will have to face the agony of negotiating an uncharted course for a year. There are risks involved with several portions of road along the 18-km stretch being narrow and unfamiliar, and not fit for two-lane traffic. In such a situation, motorists headed directly for Panjim or Margao will be better off taking the Ponda route which has better roads, and which is less than 50 kms.
With Lok Sabha polls fast approaching, we understand the hurry with which both the state and Centre are proceeding to complete the bridge and highway works. Tourism season which is at its peak in December-January has been overlooked, so also the festive season inconvenience to people. Temperament of the common man is being tested again. This race against time cannot be run compromising the life of common man.
The Zuari Bridge has been the epicenter of huge traffic chaos for Panjim-Margao motorists with traffic remaining gridlocked for hours together. There have been cases of tourists missing their flights and even emergency ambulances getting stuck. Authorities have failed to learn their lessons, and even as this is being written, there are serpentine queues clogging roads leading to the Zuari Bridge.
Diversion is not going to be an easy walk in the park. Tight policing is the need of the hour and ferry services should be on stand-by. Emergency opening along the existing route for ambulances and fire services must also be considered, since there is every possibility that ambulances and fire brigade personnel out on emergencies may get delayed in traffic jams. We only hope VVIPs, politicos and their convoys, including the governor are not given any special corridor for their sorties.
Authorities need to weigh multiple options, perhaps consider separate routes for Margao and Panjim traffic. This would mean using inter-connecting roads between NH17A and NH17B on one side and also the ferry-side route connecting Quelossim and Keserval. The situation is going to be worse in late evening hours because of lack of illumination. Authorities need to pool all their resources to alleviate the miseries looming over hapless motorists.
