PANAJI
Within five days of its grand launch, the Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based cameras at Merces junction were shut on Tuesday as the vehicular traffic worsened in view of the resurfacing works of Atal Setu Bridge. The situation is expected till March 27.
Lack of coordination among government agencies has escalated traffic woes while Panaji too is suffering the wrath of unplanned Smart City works and preparedness for the upcoming G20 Summit.
The traffic chaos at Merces junction, which connects nearly 10 highways, roads and service lanes, went out of control on Tuesday evening. This prompted the authorities to shut down AI, which began detecting violating vehicles and issuing challans to offenders on March 20.
The situation is expected to remain the same until the work on Atal Setu completes. “As long as the work on Atal Setu is underway, AI won’t function,” a Public Works officer told The Goan.
Sources further said that the district administration headed by Mamu Hage allegedly declined the Traffic Department’s suggestion to carry out the work on Atal Setu in two phases as it could have helped to manage traffic, particularly during the peak hours.
“The administration was adamant to close both the arms of Atal Setu to meet the March 27 deadline despite suggestions to undertake work of each arm in two phases. The result is heavy blockages in Panaji, Porvorim and outskirts in St Cruz, Merces and Taleigao,” a senior bureaucrat, who has been a part of meetings to review G20 preparedness, said.
As per an order by Hage, the bridge will be closed for vehicular movement for 10 days from March 17-27. The closure, as mentioned, is to carry out the asphalting works given that VIP delegates of G20 Summit will be taken on a tour through this stretch. Hot mixing of selective roads in Panaji -- also being carried out for the upcoming event scheduled to begin next month “ has choked the city.
