Citizens for Democracy seeks civic body, police and traders intervention; pollution concerns raised
File photo of traffic snarls on NH66 in the Cuncolim market area.
MARGAO
Highlighting the traffic snarls at the Cuncolim market area, particularly on Sundays, the Citizens for Democracy has urged the Chairperson of Cuncolim Municipal Council to urgently address the issue with the assistance of the Traffic Police, local traders associations, local motorcycle pilots, pickup and auto rickshaw representatives and other citizens groups.
CFD convenor Elvis Gomes further reminded the CMC chairperson that pollution continues to take the toll on groundwater reserves and air quality, it requires the Council’s proactive stance in holding industrial units accountable.
In his letter addressed to the CMC chairperson, Gomes underscored the need to work out immediate relief measures. Heads of the devasthan committee as well of the Cuncolim Church may also be invited to take their inputs about vehicular traffic management on Sundays, he said.
“As a native of this town and having formerly served as Commissioner of the City of Panaji Corporation where I have dealt with similar urban challenges, I am deeply concerned about the deteriorating traffic situation in Cuncolim due to various factors,” he said.
Referring to the Sunday traffic crisis, Gomes said the traffic snarls in the Cuncolim Bazaar area, particularly on Sundays, have reached a crisis point. “Besides being a severe inconvenience it poses a threat to public safety and local businesses. Safety of the vulnerable category of pedestrians such as the aged, children, infirm is severely compromised,” he said.
He added: “People from other parts of Goa who wish to pay a visit to the Fatorpa Temple have often pointed this out to us about the loss of time due to the situation which causes many to miss the appointed time for their religious activities.”
He said even ambulances and emergency services such as fire fighting vehicles are left in a state of helplessness while trying to navigate their way out to help people who need emergency care, even as the air quality in the Bazaar area also gets affected due to abysmally slow movement of vehicles.
While stressing on the need to make coordinated effort to manage parking and pedestrian flow in the interest of all as a short-term measure, he has called for a traffic circulation plan as a long-term measure to ease congestion. “The Council being the primary authority over this town’s governance, we look forward to seeing a quick response from you all to these public grievances,” he added.
