MAPUSA
With the trial run to test road closures on National Highway 66 turning into a traffic nightmare on Monday, the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Traffic Department were forced to go back to the drawing board to find alternate ways to implement closures necessary for the ongoing construction of the elevated corridor in Porvorim.
During the trial, road closures were enforced simultaneously on both sides – between Aradi Junction and Holy Family Church Junction (P8 to P16) and between O’Coqueiro Junction and Shivaji Chowk (P55 to P67).
The move brought traffic to a standstill along the busy Porvorim–Guirim stretch, a vital link connecting North and South Goa.
Admitting the failure, a senior PWD engineer said the decision to shut both road stretches together was a major mistake.
“Closing both the stretches simultaneously was a blunder. The work should be carried out phase-wise – one side at a time. It is better to delay the project by a few months than to cause massive public inconvenience,” the engineer said.
He suggested that the department either first take up the work between O’Coqueiro Junction and Shivaji Statue, and only after its completion, proceed with the stretch between Aradi–Socorro and Holy Family Church.
The engineer also cautioned that the road closures were unavoidable due to the narrow width of NH-66.
“If traffic is allowed to move along with the work, there’s a risk of accidents like the one that occurred at Socorro junction five months ago,” he added.
Another issue that compounded the problem was the poor condition of internal roads used as diversion routes.
Many of these roads, locals said, have not been hotmixed and are unfit for heavy traffic, leading to further congestion and delays.
Traffic police officials, who monitored the trial run, have also opposed the PWD’s closure strategy.
“The way it was implemented on Monday brought the entire route to a standstill. We cannot allow such a plan again,” a senior police officer said.
“Phase-wise closure is a more practical option,” he added.
WD Executive Engineer (Division VII) Gajanan Desai confirmed that both departments have made several observations during the trial run.
“We will submit fresh suggestions. The traffic department will also put forward their recommendations. These will be discussed with the Collector in the next meeting to finalise a workable solution,” Desai said.
The authorities are now expected to present a revised traffic and work plan later this week, aiming to balance the progress of the elevated corridor project with minimal disruption to daily commuters.
