the suggestions made
Widening of roads near Mapusa court junction
Banning heavy goods vehicles entering town between 7.30 am to 11 am
Bringing the traffic signs to a lower height
Clearing abandoned vehicles from roadsides
Building of bus bays, zebra crossing,
Slew of suggestions for better traffic management in Mapusa
Cops, citizens and NGO hold talks on decongesting town
THE GOAN NETWORK
MAPUSA
From issuing fines to traffic offenders to removing junk vehicles abandoned by the roadside, concerned citizens offered various suggestions and views to ease traffic and to ensure safety on the roads in Mapusa.
Road traffic stakeholders also discussed issues on installation of traffic signage, widening of roads, building bus bays, zebra crossing, etc, in the town.
“The junction near the Mapusa court needs to be widened to ensure proper movement of traffic. Besides strict action should be taken against heavy goods vehicles that enter the town between 7.30 am to 11 am,” said Bosco D’Sa, a popular traffic warden, who manages traffic near the Mapusa court junction in the mornings.
He was speaking at a meeting of NGOs, traffic wardens and service clubs to discuss road safety issues in Mapusa as part of National Road Safety Week. Mapusa Traffic PI, Tushar Vernekar and GOACAN coordinator, Roland Martins were also present.
D’Sa also suggested lowering the signals that were recently installed at the court junction to a lower height.
“Many motorists have to crane their neck to see the signals which are placed at a very high angle,” he said.
He also said some motorists refused to cooperate and at times it was difficult to control them, as they turn hostile.
During the meeting, it was brought to the attention of the traffic police that 'one way' and 'no parking' signages had disappeared from many areas in town.
It was also informed that junk vehicles abandoned by the side of the roads either created bottlenecks or deterred parking space.
Traffic PI, Tushar Vernekar informed that the department has received a stock of new sign boards which will be soon installed. He also disclosed that the process of removing junk vehicles from all the roads in Mapusa was already initiated by the Mapusa Municipal Council chief officer.
“We have to follow a process to remove the junk vehicles lying on roads to refrain from getting into legal hassles. We have pasted notices on many of these vehicles asking the owners to either remove them or the authorities would do so,” Vernekar said.
Ceaser Menezes offered suggestions to ease vehicular congestion in Mapusa, particularly in the market place.
He also said many people park their vehicles near the court and then take a bus for onward journey to Panaji or somewhere else.
“This creates a lot of problems for people who come to the court as they do not get place to park their vehicles,” he said and suggested finding some ways of discouraging such people from parking vehicles on the road opposite the JMFC court between 7 am to 10 am.
Ashok Vernekar, representing an NGO, said many tourists failed to notice the 'take left' signboard at the road bend near the Joao Menezes Pharmacy.
“As such, many times, especially at night, tourist vehicles proceed at high speed down the one-way road which could lead to accidents,” he said and suggested putting a bigger signboard or a flashing light sign of 'compulsory left' at the spot.
Another suggestion was to have traffic cops outside all schools when classes begin and at the time when school hours conclude in the afternoon.
