PANAJI
Taking cues from bigger cities such as Delhi and Mumbai, Goa police is considering a parking and traffic management plan for major events, particularly those held within busy city centres following the traffic chaos during the Ironman event and the final day of Oktoberfest in Panaji on Sunday.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Director General of Police Alok Kumar said Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had reviewed the complaints of traffic congestion and that the police would assess the parking capacity and location before events take place in any part of the State.
He suggested Goa could adopt the practice followed in bigger cities, where organisers arrange parking away from event venues and ferry visitors through shuttle services.
“In bigger cities like Delhi, Mumbai and other places, major events do take place right in the heart of the city, but they manage parking in the outskirts. Parking is done much farther away, and people use shuttle services to and from the venue,” Kumar said.
Citing the example of the Feroz Shah Kotla cricket stadium in central Delhi, he said the organisers manage parking arrangements in a manner that prevents traffic congestion despite large crowds attending matches.
“If the venue is located within the city, we cannot simply say that the event should not be held there. Instead, we need to ensure proper parking arrangements to prevent traffic congestion. We can work out such measures in the future after all stakeholders sit together and discuss the matter,” he said.
Panaji witnessed prolonged traffic congestion and parking problems on the final day of Oktoberfest at DB Ground, with the Ironman event earlier in the day adding to the movement of vehicles and people across the city. The congestion continued from the evening into the night, leaving commuters frustrated. Several people took to social media to complain about the traffic snarls and parking arrangements.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Traffic Prabodh Shirvaikar said the organisers had earmarked parking spaces at Kala Academy and the Sports Authority of Goa (SAG) ground. However, he said, the movement of pedestrians crossing roads to reach Oktoberfest and visitors accessing eateries and other establishments outside the venue slowed traffic.
"The traffic was not blocked but was slow since there was public movement, as people were crossing the road to go to the event and customers were visiting eateries and other establishments outside the venue,” he said, replying to media queries that vehicles parked on footpaths and in areas that obstructed access to residential premises had added to the inconvenience.
The SP said festival volunteers and motorists, including riders and drivers of rental vehicles, also had a responsibility to ensure that vehicles did not obstruct public movement.
Shirvaikar said the traffic police had issued a notice in connection with the parking violations. However, it was not clear whether the notice was issued to the organisers over parking management or to vehicle owners for parking on footpaths and in prohibited areas.
CCCP may bar Pvt events at DB ground
The Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) has proposed to stop issuing no-objection certificates (NOCs) for private events at DB Ground, citing repeated traffic congestion, illegal parking on footpaths and inconvenience to residents.
“The CCP will permit only government events and selective programmes that promote art, culture or other activities that add value to the city. We will pass a resolution in this regard. The Commissioner had been directed to initiate the necessary steps to issue the order,” CCP Mayor Rohit Monserrate said.
