MAPUSA
A two-hour trial run to test road closures on National Highway 66 for the ongoing elevated corridor project between Porvorim and Guirim turned into a traffic nightmare on Monday morning, leaving commuters stranded in long, unmoving queues for nearly three hours.
The “trial closure,” undertaken to study traffic flow in case of a full shutdown of the stretch in the future, backfired as vehicles piled up at key junctions including Arradi–Socorro, Chogm Road and O’Coqueiro Circle, causing chaos and disruption to office-goers, students and daily commuters.
“The trial was conducted for two hours to understand the traffic pattern. Since it led to major congestion, the normal traffic movement was restored and will continue as before,” said a senior officer from the Traffic Department.
Eyewitnesses and motorists reported bumper-to-bumper traffic for several kilometres, with movement at times coming to a complete standstill.
“It took me over 40 minutes to move just a kilometre,” said one exasperated commuter who was caught in the snarl.
A senior police official described the exercise as a “learning curve” for the authorities.
“Obviously, we cannot go ahead with this plan in its current form. The State administration will meet again to explore other options for facilitating the elevated corridor work,” the officer said.
Officials from the Public Works Department (PWD) explained that full closure of specific NH-66 sections is essential to allow the erection of the elevated corridor’s superstructure.
According to plans, contractors have sought: 25 days’ complete closure from Aradi Junction to Holy Family Church Junction (P8–P16) and nearly 60 days’ complete closure from O’Coqueiro Junction to Shivaji Chowk (P55–P67).
However, Monday’s chaos has prompted the authorities to reconsider.
“Today’s trial run clearly showed that the current closure plan is unworkable,” said a PWD official.
“We will now study phased or partial closures and find alternative methods to minimise disruption,” he added.
With the elevated corridor project being one of North Goa’s most critical infrastructure undertakings, officials say revised traffic management plans will be prepared soon to avoid a repeat of Monday’s gridlock.
