the goan I network
VASCO
Voicing serious concerns over plans to divert vehicles plying between Margao and Panaji via Cortalim circle, Sancoale Sarpanch Girish Pillai on Friday said local bodies in the area were not taken into confidence over such a major traffic plan which could be implemented for up to a year.
“I was not aware of any such traffic diversion plan until the news broke out in The Goan. It is shocking that such a major diversion plan was being finalized but local bodies were not informed about it.”
“Panchayats in the area should have been taken into confidence before such a plan was being finalized. If such a decision has to be taken, why were we as a panchayat body not informed nor invited to the meeting?”
“If accidents take place, the villagers will ask us if we had agreed to the proposal and we may not be able to answer them. Ideally, they should have invited us and explained to us the situation and if possible, take our feedback as well. As a panchayat body, we will have to stand by our villagers and cannot force them to be inconvenienced,” said Pillai.
Pillar feared there could be a huge pressure on the internal village roads due to closure of highway between the Cortalim Circle and Sharayu Toyota showroom.
“The road closure will definitely increase the traffic on the village roads and locals may object to this.”
“There will be a mad rush on our village roads for sure. Most village roads are narrow and there could be traffic jams, accidents and altercations on the road almost on a daily basis,” said the sarpanch.
“Though the traffic police are likely to monitor the routes, there are many motorists who may cook up excuses to enter the village road and end up blocking traffic and cause inconvenience to villagers, who use the narrow road for their daily movements of vehicles.”
The sarpanch informed that two narrow roads, which could be used as shortcuts by motorists, are in Sancoale panchayat jurisdiction.
“One road is along the Shantadurga Temple and the other is opposite St Jacinto Island. These narrow roads are only three metres wide and a mad rush of vehicles may cause accidents and put lives at risk,” said Pillai.
He suggested that the bridge flyover work could take place at night, leaving the highway open during the day.
