PORVORIM
Traffic chaos on the highway and the CHOGM road in Porvorim left motorists stranded and fuming on Saturday.
A surge in traffic on account of the three-day extended weekend, roadworks on the CHOGM road and traffic signals which were not working at the O’Coqueiro Circle were among the major factors leading to the traffic congestion.
The huge queues left motorists fuming and venting out their anger against the authorities and the government for failing to tackle the situation.
Some mishaps were reported when two-wheelers skidded on the road which had become slippery near the Navtara restaurant, due to ongoing roadworks. The riders are reported to have sustained some injuries.
The situation was such that several residents struggled to enter and exit their housing colonies along the CHOGM road, due to the long queues of vehicles.
When contacted, Traffic Police Inspector Brandon D’Souza explained that since the CHOGM road was being repaired, only one-way traffic from Porvorim towards Saligao and Calangute was permitted on the road.
“Traffic from Calangute and proceeding towards Porvorim and Panaji was diverted from Sangolda and Copperleaf Restaurant and directed to proceed to Panaji via the highway,” said PI D’Souza.
“Since the CHOGM road was converted into a one-way route, there was heavy congestion on the main road. As a result, we deliberately shut down the traffic signal at O’Coqueiro Circle and manually regulated traffic along the route.”
PI D’Souza said 12 traffic police personnel were deployed at Sangolda, CHOGM Road, Alto Porvorim Junction, O’Coqueiro Junction and Sai Service to monitor the traffic.
“Given the holidays on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, there has been a surge in tourists and this has also added to the traffic movement in Porvorim.”
“The PWD has assured to complete work on the CHOGM road by Sunday afternoon and till then, the traffic jam is likely to continue. The Traffic Police is trying its best to regulate traffic and I am personally supervising this situation,” PI D’Souza added.
