MAPUSA
The new traffic diversion plan implemented to facilitate ongoing work on the elevated corridor at Porvorim has successfully passed its trial run, with traffic movement on the diverted routes reported to be near perfect.
On Monday, the trial saw all light motor vehicles and public buses utilising the slightly altered route, while heavy vehicles were temporarily kept out of the corridor.
This decision was made by the district administration, in collaboration with the traffic police and the Public Works Department (PWD) National Highway division, to test the effectiveness of the new traffic flow arrangement.
"The traffic diversion was successful. The movement of all heavy vehicular traffic was stopped, which is why everything was moving very smoothly," said Siddhant Shirodkar, DySP (Traffic), North Goa.
Executive Engineer PWD (NH) Jude Carvalho also said the trial run of traffic diversion was successful.
“It’s a small diversion. Only during peak hours from 8 am to 10 am there is heavy traffic which later eases out,” Carvalho said.
Following the trial, Shirodkar noted that authorities would meet again to discuss the results with the PWD and identify any potential areas for improvement. He also encouraged the public to offer suggestions for further refinement.
Two days prior to the trial, North Goa District Magistrate Sneha Gitte (IAS) issued an order temporarily prohibiting the movement of heavy goods vehicles entering Goa.
These vehicles were diverted at Patradevi to proceed via the Banda-Dodamarg-Bicholim-Sanquelim route for their onward journey. The order also stipulated that heavy vehicles could enter Goa via the Patradevi check post only between 10 pm and 6 am.
In South Goa, heavy vehicles were diverted via the Borim bridge, with a route leading from Banastarim to Amona for exiting.
During Monday's trial run, all light motor vehicles and public buses travelling from Panaji to Mapusa took the normal route until they reached the Sangolda/Socorro junction, where they briefly utilised a service road on the left before rejoining the highway to continue their journey.
Similarly, vehicles traveling from Mapusa to Panaji took a service road at the Sangolda/Socorro junction and exited at Damian de Goa, before proceeding on their usual route towards O’Coqueiro and taking another diversion to a service road opposite Delfino’s supermarket.
The trial run, which aimed to ensure smooth traffic flow during the construction phase of the elevated corridor, was considered a success, with authorities now planning to make any necessary adjustments based on the trial’s outcomes.
