PANAJI
Traffic snarls at the Merces junction dominated the gram sabha on Sunday, with several citizens raising it and alleging that the newly‑installed AI‑operated traffic signal system was responsible for worsening the traffic congestion at the spot.
One participant in the gram sabha said the 20‑second signal cycle was too short and vehicle queues stretch to Ribandar and Chimbel.
"The system introduced to streamline flow, has instead created bottlenecks and inconvenience to us, daily. The system must be immediately suspended until the timings between the signals for each of the five-arms at this junction are recalibrated," the participant said.
Another resident said getting stuck for long in the vehicle queues daily is unbearable.
"Vehicles pile up, and we suffer,” he said.
Many others joined issue and the gram sabha eventually resolved to press authorities for corrective measures.
Members urged the panchayat to formally petition the Public Works Department (PWD) and the traffic police to either extend signal timings or deactivate the system until a permanent solution is in place.
Residents also highlighted safety concerns, warning that ambulances and school buses are often delayed in the traffic jams.
The Merces junction is a critical link connecting Panaji to the hinterland and also for traffic headed south to Margao and Mormugao.
With monsoon showers adding to the mess, villagers said the AI experiment has backfired.
