MARGAO
Have the district authorities forgotten the decades-old proposal to shift the petrol pumps from the heart of the commercial capital to the outskirts? Or have they had a re-think on the idea once suggested to ease traffic congestion?
The plan to move some petrol pumps from the centre of Margao to reduce traffic has been discussed for over 20 years. But in recent times, the proposal seems to have been forgotten for reasons only known to the authorities.
With the Margao western bypass now open and heavy traffic on NH66 being diverted, questions have arisen—have the authorities dropped the plan, or is it no longer a priority?
There are about seven petrol pumps in the city centre, including four next to each other near the Margao Municipal garden. The topic of relocating them used to come up often in the South Goa Traffic and Road Safety meetings. Now, it seems to have disappeared from the agenda.
A lot has changed in recent years. While most fuel stations are still in central Margao, a few new ones have come up on the outskirts—at Arlem, Gogol on the eastern bypass, Seraulim-Colva, and Navelim near the start of the western bypass at Belem.
Sources say these new pumps may help reduce traffic in the city, serving the needs of motorists heading in and out.
However, they point out there is no petrol pump in the Fatorda area, especially near Borda, Old Market and Dovondem. This means motorists from these areas still have to enter the city to refuel. Even though the nearest entry points to the bypass are at the wholesale fish market and Nuvem junction, there’s no fuel outlet nearby, causing inconvenience.
A resident said people living in Old Market, Madel, Dovondem and Borda have no choice but to go to central Margao, Arlem or Seraulim-Colva to fill up.
“Over the years, we have heard the authorities drawing up plans to relocate the petrol pumps to the city outskirts. None of the fuel pumps from the city have been relocated till date. And, the authorities seemed to have no proposal to open new fuel outlets at the northern entrance to Margao around Fatorda-Old market area to cater to the requirements of motorists”, remarked a citizen.
