PANAJI
With the sole aim of preventing​ bottlenecks and to ensure smooth flow of traffic, heavy vehicles will be diverted via Karaswada and Banastarim along Amona, it was informed.
Speaking at Traffic Police headquarters at Altinho in Panaji, DySP Angle stated, “Based on past incidents, we have decided to equip ourselves with these magisterial orders to meet situations in the future. These orders will be executed on need-basis. We have already diverted heavy vehicles over the last 20 days in a successful and smooth manner. Heavy vehicles can ply on the bridges after the new bridge is inaugurated.”
He informed that if need arises to temporarily close down the old Mandovi bridge, it will preferably be done at night.
While speaking about the restriction on heavy vehicles over the bridges, DySP Angle reiterated that this will be done only during the peak traffic hours from 8 am to 10 pm.
He also stated that as of now, the interstate buses will be allowed to ply on the bridges and added, “Interstate bus corporations and stakeholders will be taken into confidence before we ever make the decision to divert these buses as there is no specific route given to these buses. Local route buses will continue to operate.”
Traffic police department further explained that tankers, which require refueling in Porvorim area or carry petroleum products to the petrol stations lined up along the area, will be issued passes to approach the spots at convenient times. “This is an essential commodity and hence has been exempted,” DySP Angle stated.
It was informed that the two orders were passed by the collector on the basis​ of several instances of trailers employed for bridge construction work breaking down on the narrow road carpet around
Porvorim. In one specific instance a concrete
laying machinery broke down during piling work on the main bridge structure work causing several hours of anxiety to the
contractor Larsen and
Toubro.
