the goan I network
MARGAO
Traffic signals operated on a trial basis at the busy Navelim junction on the National Highway has thrown up more questions than answers, prompting the traffic police to temporarily suspend the operation.
Commissioned on a trial basis from Monday, the signals have only aggravated the traffic situation, with serpentine queues, especially on the southern side of the highway, literally being the order of the day.
In fact, the operation of the traffic signals had to be suspended on Friday after bumper to bumper traffic was found on the southern side of the highway. Traffic police were deployed again to man the traffic, to ensure smooth flow and avoid inconveniences to the motorists and office goers alike.
A police official pointed out that the Traffic cell has mooted certain measures to the PWD to carry out on the road before the signals are put to test again. “Unlike the Old Market Colva junction, the road at the Navelim junction has a narrow width. This has come in the way of having slip ways to facilitate traffic to move into the internal roads without having to wait for the traffic signals.”
It was pointed out that the serpentine queue of vehicle had nearly touched the Fradilem road in the morning, leaving office goers an agitated lot. Sources pointed out that traffic on the southern side is thrown out of gear when vehicles wait to enter the road heading towards the panchayat.
“Right now, we have temporarily suspended the operation of the signals. We are assessing the timings as well as the road width required to streamline traffic,” a traffic police official informed, adding that the traffic signals will be implemented once the teething problems are addressed by the authorities, including the PWD.
