It was a harrowing day for most commuters especially between the Mapusa and Panaji stretches as well as in the area around Panaji bus stand as a combination of factors led to day-long traffic snarls along the roads leading up to the two Mandovi Bridges.
Traffic snarls began as early as morning rush hour with the origins blamed on a lorry that went crashing into a divider near the Porvorim church. At around 5am a truck struck a divider and fell on its side.
Employees reached offices late, others shelved plans while still others curtailed their journey midway in a bid to avoid the traffic.
However, with an increase in the number of vehicles owing to a long weekend on account of public holidays in the neighbouring states the roads were overwhelmed.
“Traffic has been slow moving for most of the day today. Within the city the traffic was normal but around the area at the KTC bus stand it was slow moving for most of the day,” Brendan de Souza the Panaji traffic police inspector, who was personally monitoring the situation told The Goan.
“Besides the accident in Porvorim one can factor in the influx of vehicles from the neighbouring states as well as the fact that it was a rainy day contributed to the traffic,” he added.
A journey between O Coqueiro circle and the Panaji KTC bus stand took as much as three hours during the height of the traffic jam and several roads including internal roads of Porvorim as well as roads from Betim and Britona leading up to the Mandovi bridges witnessed bumper to bumper traffic as commuters tried to avoid the stretches affected by the construction of the new Mandovi bridge only to be caught in jams elsewhere.
The Panaji Betim ferry too was overwhelmed by the number of vehicles including cars which used the service leading to congestion on both the ferry ramps.
In an effort to ease the traffic flow, the traffic police detained heavy vehicles at Socorro but to no avail.
Slow moving traffic from Mapusa towards Panjai continued till around 8pm with the after effects being felt even later.
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WHAT CAUSED THE CONGESTION
* At 5 am, a truck (GJ-23-X-6576) rams into the road divider near Holy Family Church and tilts
* The vehicle's axle snaps and goods are strewn all over the on the road
* Vehicles are stranded on both sides of the road and takes almost 3 hours to clear the vehicle
* Later in the day, two minor accidents take place, causing another major traffic jam.
* Occupants of vehicles confront each other for a long time, adds to prolonged traffic jam
* Many motorists take route via Betim, but they too are stranded in the narrow Betim road
* Others try to take ferry services at Betim wharf, congesting the ferry point
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TRAFFIC POLICE VERSION
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Calangute Traffic Cell Police Inspector Salim Sheikh
* Traffic congestion was also compounded by tourist vehicles due to extra holidays
* On Monday, there were minor accidents along the highway in the morning and evening
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Panaji Traffic Police Inspector Brendan de Souza
* Within the city the traffic was normal but around the area at KTC bus stand it was slow moving for most of the day
* Besides the accident in Porvorim one can factor in the influx of vehicles from the neighbouring states
* A rainy day too contributed to the traffic woes on the stretch of road
