the goan I network
MAPUSA
After the gruelling traffic jams experienced at Cortalim and Agassaim, motorists faced arduous traffic snarls near Hotel Green Park in North Goa on Saturday
putting a lot of motorists and travellers into
inconvenience.
There was a huge traffic jam on the Panaji to Pernem route on the NH 66 along a stretch of around one kilometre from Dempo showroom at Guirim to Hotel Green Park after the width of the road for movement of traffic was reduced to single lane, ostensibly to carry out the ongoing expansion work of the National Highway.
A long queue of vehicles was seen crawling along the stretch for the major part of the day. Angry motorists took to social media to censure the government for implementing the restrictions during the season when there is rise in road traffic.
“Traffic jam near Green Park Hotel, Mapusa “ The traffic is diverted from four-lane to single lane just before the peak tourist season. God knows what will happen during the peak time. They should have waited till December 31 to start the work,” said Bramhanand Kamat, while expressing his anguish on the popular Facebook page Goa Speaks.
Agreeing with Kamat was Jayesh Thali, who said the work should have been started after January 2 and not during the year-end when there was heavy tourist flow.
When contacted, PWD Assistant Engineer in-charge of highways, Mahesh Shetty informed The Goan that the width of the road was reduced to carry out the expansion work of the National Highway.
He also said the traffic drill along the stretch came into effect from Saturday (December 21).
“We decided to implement the traffic drill only after holding a discussion with the traffic police,” Shetty said.
If authorities put their foot down and decide to continue with the drill, then motorists in North Goa are in for difficult times during Christmas and the New Year.
