MAPUSA
Following numerous complaints against unsuitable service roads along NH66, Deputy Speaker & Mapusa MLA Joshua D’Souza along with the officials of the PWD inspected the service roads from Bastora to Carrasvaddo, Mapusa on Friday.
In several areas, it was found that the service roads were narrow and dangerous for the movement of traffic, particularly during the night, as some stretches were also not illuminated.
The biggest problem was the double movement of traffic on the narrow service roads. Despite provisions of service roads on either side of the national highway, several motorists were seen moving up and down on one side of the service road.
This was particularly noticeable from Carrasvaddo underpass junction to Cunchelim where motorists instead of taking a detour from the underpass at the Central jail at Colvale to proceed towards Mapusa and Panaji, were found taking shortcuts and using the service road meant for vehicles proceeding towards Cunchelim and Pernem.
Similarly, there is traffic chaos at the Carrasvaddo underpass junction, particularly during the peak hours in the morning and evening. It has become a nightmare for motorists moving towards Tivim or Pernem during the peak hours daily.
Long queues of vehicles are witnessed on either side of the State highway on the Tivim and Mapusa sides and both the service roads during those peak hours.
“The highway is complete, but various allied works are still incomplete. We need to streamline whatever works are pending. We have to find a solution how to streamline the traffic so that motorists and the public do not face inconvenience. The Police and the PWD have to work together to find a way out of the problem caused at the junction and the service roads,” D’Souza said.
The MLA along with the PWD engineers inspected various stretches of the service road from Tar junction, Bastora up to Carrasvaddo and Cunchelim, Mapusa.
The engineers have been updated about various problems vis-Ã -vis narrow stretches and the double movement of traffic on the service roads.
The Mapusa MLA informed that two months ago, a similar inspection was carried out at the incomplete service road near Peddem after which the entire road was completed.
He said the Peddem junction of NH66 will soon be closed for crisscrossing of vehicles at the junction and it will be exclusively for highway traffic.
“The PWD is awaiting the completion of some signboards. Once it’s ready, the highway will be closed for other vehicles as assured by the PWD minister,” he said.
