Goa played host to the Ironman 70.3 triathlon on Sunday. Over 2,000 triathletes, including national and international athletes, took part in the contest comprising a 1.9 km swim, a 90 km cycling leg and a 21.1 km run, starting along the iconic Miramar beachfront.
The sixth edition of the race that tests the endurance of athletes across running, swimming and cycling has become a huge draw among fitness and endurance enthusiasts and has now become a regular affair in Goa. However, the event has come at a huge cost to the people of Panaji and surrounding areas. The city witnessed long queues as roads were shut off and traffic, especially along crucial stretches, was channelled along narrowed lanes in order to leave the race track free for participants to compete.
Panaji is no stranger to events. It hosts annual events such as the International Film Festival of India and the Serendipity Arts Festival, besides also featuring year-round events held at the onshore casinos. While, to an extent, these events are welcome, questions need to be asked concerning the inconveniences that locals have to put up with, even if it is just for a day or a few days.
On a regular day, the roads leading to and from the city are jammed thanks to some poor planning and lack of foresight. However, the organisers of the Ironman event and the State administration chose to hold the event along these very stretches, which serve as a crucial link between the city, its residential areas and important infrastructure like the Goa Medical College and Hospital, as well as the main connection between north and south Goa. Surely the route warrants a rethink?
We understand the government has been eager to promote Goa as a sports tourism destination. It is with this in mind that the Goa Tourism Department has been liberally sponsoring and co-sponsoring several events in the State. However, the hardship on commuters has been nobody's concern. High-profile sports events, cultural or festival gatherings and political protests frequently introduce sudden road closures, barricades, and severe gridlock. While the capital city is small, the vehicle density in Panaji and poor traffic management have often led to chaos when events are being hosted on the Campal stretch.
Interestingly, recently the High Court took suo motu cognisance of the vehicular congestion along the DB Marg along the Casino stretch and directed a slew of measures. It was only after the court's intervention that motorists and pedestrians began breathing easy and a better sense prevailed.
Ironman has gained popularity over the years and witnesses significant participation from among residents in the State besides national and international athletes, but one is still left with the vexed question of whether it's worth the inconvenience people are exposed to.
Improving infrastructure, safe streets and public spaces, and cleanliness will go much further when it comes to promoting Goa as a welcoming destination rather than events that come at a cost of public convenience.
Either that, or the government of the day and the organisers need to get their act together and organise the event in a manner that spares arterial roads and highways, so that it leaves as little impact on crucial stretches as possible. Surely there’s a better way.
