PANAJI: Director General of Police Pranab Nanda and engineers of Dilip Buildcon Ltd on Monday jointly inspected the sites where the contractors engaged to build the eight-lane Zuari Bridge are carrying out work which has thrown traffic on the crucial national highway into chaos.
Nanda found engineering defects and avoidable extensions on the road which are contributing to the traffic snarls and has suggested reduction of the size of the traffic island at the Cortalim junction.
The police chief, who was also accompanied by subordinate officers from the Police Traffic Cell has also asked for partitioning of the road with dividers and bollards.
The police have also decided to monitor pressure points and pressure time and will accordingly advise the construction company’s engineers to plan work in such a way that these pressure points at specific time of the day are avoided.
Nanda also found that at many points the hillocks hugging the highway have been cut at 90 degrees angle and have advised precautionary measures including terracing to pre-empt sliding of mud during the upcoming monsoon season.
“There are limitations on how to overcome the traffic jam problems but we are trying our best,” DIG Parmaditya said.
“We have kept a dedicated crane near the bridge to remove any vehicle that breaks down on the bridge. Yet, it does take some time to remove the vehicle as there is continuous traffic,” Parmaditya added.
Police, however, are expecting the traffic problem to ease soon as the ongoing bridge pier capping work around the Cortalim junction area is likely to be completed before the onset of the monsoon.
