PANAJI
The expert team from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Nagpur, on Saturday inspected the newly opened Porvorim elevated corridor to assess traffic movement and road safety arrangements and recommend measures for the systematic opening of its entry and exit points.
The inspection comes days after the government imposed temporary traffic restrictions on the six-lane elevated corridor, including a ban on two-wheelers and closure of key access points, following a fatal accident that claimed two lives.
PWD Minister Digambar Kamat told The Goan that the IIM-Nagpur team is expected to submit its report by Sunday with recommendations on how the access points can be opened in a systematic manner without compromising road safety.
“They are experts in traffic management. They are trying to see how the entry and exit points were there, why and how they are closed for now and how to systematically open them for traffic movement. They are looking into everything. They are examining every detail,” Kamat said.
He said that after receiving the recommendations, he would convene a meeting with PWD engineers to discuss their implementation. The meeting could be held either on Sunday or Monday, he said, adding that the local MLA would also be taken into confidence before any decision is taken.
The Minister said that restrictions could be reconsidered only after the government receives the technical recommendations from IIM-Nagpur.
Kamat ruled out fixing accountability at this stage, maintaining that the fatal mishap was a result of rash and negligent driving.
Meanwhile, PWD sources said the immediate priority was to reopen the access points to the elevated corridor and Atal Setu, subject to the recommendations of the expert team.
“If it is possible, we will try to open the points by Monday along with imposing some safety measures. But everything depends on the IIM report,” sources said.
The IIM team is also expected to suggest long-term remedial measures, which would be examined and implemented at a later stage, the sources said.
The restrictions were imposed shortly after the elevated corridor was inaugurated and opened to traffic. The government had said the measures were temporary and intended to assess actual traffic movement, traffic patterns, congestion levels and the operational performance of the corridor.
However, the barricading of the main exit towards Panaji has led to traffic congestion and triggered anger among commuters.
The interchange connecting the Porvorim elevated corridor with Atal Setu has also remained shut following the restrictions. The closure has affected the ability of motorists to use the two structures as an integrated route to bypass both Porvorim and Panaji, adding to congestion on alternative roads.
