THE GOAN NETWORK
MAPUSA
In a bid to improve student safety and ease traffic congestion during peak school hours, school managements located around the busy court circle in Mapusa have been advised to introduce staggered afternoon dispersal timings.
The recommendation emerged during a coordination meeting convened by the Traffic Cell with representatives of schools in and around Mapusa, traffic police officials and Mapusa MLA Joshua D'Souza to discuss measures for better traffic management during school opening and closing hours.
During the meeting, it was observed that three schools located in the vicinity of the court circle currently dismiss students at the same time, leading to severe traffic congestion, overcrowding and safety concerns along the main road.
School managements have, therefore, been requested to release students at intervals of 10 minutes to reduce the rush and facilitate smoother movement of both pedestrians and vehicles.
As part of the traffic management plan, the Traffic Cell has also decided to deploy additional traffic wardens at key locations around the town.
Two traffic wardens will be stationed near St Anthony School at Duler, while one each will be deployed at the court circle and outside Dnyanprasarak Vidyalaya to regulate traffic during peak hours.
The meeting also discussed the formation of Road Safety Patrols comprising student volunteers who, along with teachers, PTA members and traffic wardens, would assist in managing traffic outside schools during critical timings.
Another proposal deliberated upon was to conduct training sessions by the Traffic Cell for traffic wardens nominated by each educational institution to ensure uniform traffic management practices.
Speaking after the meeting, Mapusa MLA Joshua D'Souza said the initiative aims to improve coordination among schools, traffic authorities and volunteers.
"With better coordination between schools, traffic authorities and volunteers, the aim is to ensure a smooth flow of traffic and a safer journey for students across Mapusa," D'Souza said.
The meeting was attended by Traffic Police Inspector Marlon D'Souza, Traffic DySP Sudesh Narvekar and representatives of eight schools in Mapusa.
The initiative comes amid growing traffic pressure around educational institutions in Mapusa, particularly during school dispersal hours, when simultaneous movement of school buses, private vehicles and pedestrians often results in bottlenecks around the court circle and adjoining roads.
