PANAJI
The High Court of Bombay at Goa has directed stricter parking controls along Panaji’s casino belt, directing the Traffic Police and the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) to enforce a no-parking zone on Dayanand Bandodkar Marg, from the petrol pump near Panaji Residency to the Panaji Church, to ease congestion.
The Division Bench of Justice Valmiki Menezes and Justice Amit Jamsandekar issued the directions while reviewing Panaji’s traffic management plan in a suo motu writ petition on Wednesday. It allowed vehicles operating for the casinos to pick up and drop off passengers at designated points, including near the Old Accounts Department, but barred them from parking at these locations or along the stretch up to the Panaji Church.
The Bench also took stock of the situation on the ground on Saturday to observe traffic congestion along the stretch where casino offices operate, and vehicles routinely wait to pick up and drop off passengers.
As part of the proposed traffic management plan, the State suggested marking signs to alert motorists to AI-enabled cameras and deter them from stopping or halting in prohibited areas. The Bench accepted the proposal, noting that existing “No Parking” and “No Stopping” signs had not stopped motorists from flouting the restrictions.
The CCP will install the signage as the Bench sought a definite schedule for putting up directional signs across Panaji. It also emphasised the need for clear and consistent traffic instructions throughout the city, for which the CCP sought four weeks to complete the exercise.
The plan also proposed barricading the stretch between Divja Circle and the Betim ferry wharf to prevent pedestrians from crossing the road at random points. The Bench called for a zebra crossing equipped with signals to regulate pedestrian movement during the evening rush, particularly between 6 pm and 7 pm.
Meanwhile, the authorities are upgrading CCTV cameras at several locations in Panaji to capture vehicle number plates and help identify traffic violators.
The Bench also pressed for stronger towing arrangements to ensure motorists face consequences for illegal parking.
Turning to public transport based on a fresh submission by one of the respondents, the Bench suggested extending bus services till 10 pm stating that buses generally stop operating around 8.30 pm or 9 pm. It directed the authorities to consult the Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited (KTCL), obtain its instructions and place the matter before the court for consideration of appropriate orders in chambers.
The Bench will revisit the traffic management measures after a month.
