the goan I network
MARGAO
Traffic has started plying on the Verna-Nuvem stretch of the Western bypass, but plans to make traffic one way between Verna and Nuvem has been kept on hold with local MLA Wilfred D’Sa and the panchayat representatives objecting to the plan to use the narrow Panchayat ghar road for the heavy traffic.
While traffic could be seen plying on the bypass, the entire five km route, from the wholesale fish market to Verna lack illumination. Only a couple of signboards and rumblers were found erected along the stretch, indicating that work on the bypass remains incomplete in all respects.
The biggest danger awaiting motorists is at Nuvem where the Eastern bypass traffic joins the Western bypass in the absence of any traffic regulation mechanism. Speeding vehicles from the Eastern bypass joins the Western bypass at the stretch, posing danger of accidents for want of any traffic regulation mechanism.
That the bypass from the wholesale fish market to the Nuvem stretch has not become popular amongst motorists has come as a relief, officials admitted in private.
Nuvem MLA Wilfred D’Sa told The Goan that the people of Nuvem have objected to the PWD plan to use the narrow Panchayat Ghar road to divert Eastern bypass road before it joins the bypass via a service road. “The narrow internal road between the Eastern bypass junction and Panchayat Ghar cannot be used for heavy traffic. This is an internal road, which is used not only by the motorists from Nuvem, but from Majorda as well,” the MLA said, adding that he along with the sarpanchas of Nuvem, Majorda had already conveyed their sentiments to PWD Minister Deepak Pauskar on the issue.
He also expressed his concern over the absence of a traffic regulator at the point where the Eastern bypass heavy traffic joins the Western bypass at Nuvem. “I have urged the PWD minister to put a plan in place for the safe and smooth movement of traffic from the Eastern bypass to Western bypass,” Wilfred added.
Questioning the opening of the bypass in haste by the PWD, a motorist demanded to know whether the court or other authority has directed the PWD to throw open the bypass without illumination or sans safety precautions.
“I fail to understand why the PWD invoke the name of the courts to expedite work on the bypass. It is evident that the Verna-Nuvem-wholesale fish market stretch of the bypass has no illumination and has no safety precautions. Even then the PWD has allowed traffic to ply on the road,” the motorist questioned.
PWD, NH Executive Engineer, Laxmikant Naik conceded that the bypass has no illumination as of date, but pointed out that vehicular traffic has been allowed on the road to ease traffic congestion.
