THE GOAN NETWORK
VASCO
Roads dug up at various locations near the KTC bus stand in Vasco due to ongoing sewage works have caused a lot of traffic jams much to the anger of motorists in the port town.
The road has become a major hazard for motorists as at some locations, almost half of the road has been dug up leaving only one side of the road for traffic on both sides.
With the sewage works having caused several traffic jams, traffic police have begun regulating the traffic to ease the long queues of vehicles along the road.
Motorists have now appealed to authorities to intervene and expedite the sewage works.
A motorist, Anant Naik, said the situation becomes bad at times when there is a surge in vehicle movement and especially when heavy vehicles move to and from the port.
"The situation gets even worse during peak hours, especially in the morning when people are proceeding to work and parents are dropping students to schools and in the evening, when employees of Goa Shipyard Limited leave office. This leads to a surge in traffic, causing traffic jams and fuming motorists.
“Authorities seem to be taking up sewage works all year round. We had just finished the works some months ago and now again the works have begun. This road which is the main exit and entry road of Vasco is getting dangerous with some minor accidents already occurring here," said Naik.
Another motorist, Prashant Desai, said the traffic jam has become such that an ordeal that a distance of around 7 kms between Vasco and Chicalim Sub District hospital takes as long as 30 minutes.
"Traffic movement between Vaddem Lake and St Andrew’s circle is worst with serpentine queues moving at snail’s pace and people getting stuck for at least 20 minutes, making the journey frustrating and chaotic. The two-way road is almost become one-way at many locations," said Desai.
Yet another motorist Ramdas Borkar said traffic jams don't only cause a delay but also add to the costs of fuel.
"Traffic jams force us to be in the lowest gear and this consumes extra fuel. While we are not against development, the department must expedite the works so that roads are smooth and safe for people to travel," said Borkar.
