MAPUSA
As the festive season of Christmas and New Year rapidly approaches, residents in the popular coastal village of Anjuna-Vagator are already facing severe traffic congestion, a problem that is expected to worsen in the coming days.
The area, known for its vibrant party scene, has begun experiencing long traffic jams, with vehicles lining up on internal roads and in surrounding areas, including Assagao, which leads to Anjuna.
Local residents are expressing their frustration, citing the already narrow roads in the village becoming even more congested due to the influx of tourists heading to North Goa’s party capital.
“The traffic situation is already bad, and it’s only going to get worse as more people come for the holidays. It’s a nightmare trying to get through these narrow roads,” said one local resident, who preferred to remain anonymous.
INCREASED TRAFFIC
Reports of traffic chaos have already started surfacing, with vehicles stalled on internal roads and long queues forming at key points in the village.
"The traffic jams are becoming unbearable," said Ramesh Desai, a resident of Anjuna.
“During the festive season, especially on Christmas and New Year’s Day, the situation becomes even worse. There is utter chaos, and it's almost impossible to navigate through the area. Cars are parked everywhere, blocking the roads,” he added.
Many residents complain that the situation is exacerbated by tourists and party-goers who park their cars indiscriminately, blocking driveways and making it impossible for locals to access their own vehicles.
“It’s a constant problem. I’ve had my car blocked in front of my gate several times. Sometimes, I can’t even take it out the next morning because tourists park too close to our homes,” said Maya Fernandes, a resident of Vagator.
The situation has worsened with some departments initiating road-digging projects for development works.
Owen Braganza, a resident of Assagao, pointed out that the electricity department's ongoing underground cabling work has led to the closure of Verla-Canca road, exacerbating traffic congestion. He emphasised that such projects should be postponed, especially during the festive season, to avoid further disruptions.
LACK OF GOVT ACTION
Despite the recurring nature of the issue, locals feel that the government has failed to take any meaningful action to address the traffic problems.
“This happens every year. The government knows about it but doesn’t do anything to fix it. Anjuna-Vagator brings in so much revenue for the state, yet nothing is done to improve the infrastructure and manage the traffic,” said another frustrated local, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
Local traffic police have acknowledged the ongoing issues, but their ability to manage the situation remains limited.
“We do our best to control the traffic, especially during peak times, but the volume of vehicles is just too much to handle,” said a senior traffic police officer in the area.
“We are aware of the traffic jams, but there’s little we can do with the current infrastructure. The situation gets worse during the festive season, and we urge people to be patient,” he added.
NO SOLUTIONS
As the festive season draws nearer, there seems to be no immediate solution to the mounting traffic crisis in Anjuna-Vagator.
With limited space on the already congested roads, residents are left to deal with the impact of increased tourism, while authorities continue to struggle with the challenge of managing both traffic and public safety.
In the meantime, locals are calling on the government to prioritize infrastructure improvements to ease the burden on residents and ensure a smoother experience for both tourists and locals alike.
"It’s time the authorities take real action and invest in the infrastructure that’s necessary to keep this place running smoothly. The locals deserve better," said Fernandes.
