Come IFFI and the traffic in and around the capital city isthrown into a tizzy.
The State government spends a huge sum to organize IFFI buthardly bothers about putting a proper traffic system in place during thefestival.
With restrictions imposed on vehicular traffic during thefilm festival, the worst sufferers are the residents of the city, particularlyfrom Campal.
More crucially whatever plans the traffic police come outwith, the residents are never taken into confidence.
“I’m flooded with calls from residents as well as fromcommercial establishments. None of us are informed about traffic movement,”said CCP Corporator Kabir Pinto Makhija.
“Even car passes have not been issued to the residents fromCampal, which will inconvenience the locals,” he added.
Makhija disclosed that a letter was written to concernedauthorities demanding to shift all stalls towards the ferry point from theheritage zone.
“Our gardens turn into parking slots and the whole placeturns into one littering hole. That’s why the suggestion,” he said.
Local resident, Kevin Rebelo had no problems with the eventper se.
“We have no issues with the festival. But the authoritiesshould also consider our problems. Residents and commercial owners should be takeninto confidence while deciding on crucial aspects like traffic management. Tillnow we have not been given passes for our vehicles,” Rebelo said.
Panjim, traffic police inspector Dharmesh Angle is confidentthat there would be no traffic mess this year.
“I’m confident that there would be easy flow of traffic andlocals will not be disturbed,” PI Angle said.
When asked about residents staying around the venue, Anglesaid: “This year no pass system is being followed and therefore no residentswill be disturbed.
When asked him about how he will differentiate betweenresidents and visitors, Angle said: “Residents won’t be stopped. We will askfor driving licenses which will certainly have their address on them.”
