PORVORIM
Motorists were left fuming and frustrated on Monday as they were caught up in a massive traffic jam along the NH66 highway near the new Mandovi Bridge leading to Panaji.
In a bid to ease the traffic congestion, plans are now underway to have more ferry boats plying on the Betim“Panaji route.
The PWD has closed the old Mandovi Bridge to carry out repair works and during this period, traffic is being be diverted on the new Mandovi Bridge.
Long queues of vehicles were seen lined up along the Service Road leading to the new Mandovi Bridge and motorists took nearly 45 minutes to travel from Porvorim to Panaji.
Among those severely affected by the traffic jam were students who had left their homes to answer the ongoing HSSC board exams.
A visibly unhappy parent of one student answering the HSSC board exams told ‘The Goan’ that the PWD had chosen a wrong period to carry out repairs of the old Mandovi Bridge.
“As it is, students answering the HSSC board exams are already under stress and this traffic congestion has added to their stress. If by chance an accident takes place on the New Mandovi Bridge, there will be an even bigger traffic jam. What will be fate of the students? Who will be held responsible if students do not reach their examination halls on time,” questions the angry parent.
When contacted, Porvorim Traffic Cell Police Inspector Sanjit Kandolkar stated that the closure of old Mandovi bridge has been implemented by PWD to carry out repairs of the old Mandovi bridge, which includes resurfacing of the bridge with asphalt, installing safety measures and painting work.
“To facilitate the PWD to undertake these repairs, all motorists, including two-wheelers travelling from Porvorim towards Ponda, Bambolim, and South Goa, and vice versa, have been advised to use the New Mandovi bridge and the Atal Setu,” said PI Kandolkar.
“Traffic has increased so much on this route that it is not possible for the new Mandovi Bridge to handle the entire load of traffic. Further, we cannot divert two-wheelers on the Atal Setu as per the directives of PWD. The Police Traffic Cell is contemplating to request River Navigation Department of press more ferry boats into service on the Betim“Panaji route, to ease the traffic congestion,” said PI Kandolkar.
