the goan I network
MARGAO
Are traffic signals at road junctions operated mechanically or are the signals ought to be
manned manually? Welcome to the Old market circle, Fatorda where these questions are raised by motorists and citizens day in and out along with a pertinent question, whether roundabouts can coexist with traffic signal systems at road junctions.
Close to a fortnight since the traffic police switched over to the signal system to control traffic at the old market junction, no longer are the traffic signals operated mechanically as in many other towns and cities. Strange it may seem, but true that a lone traffic policeman is posted near the traffic island to man the signal system. Reason: The mechanical operation of the traffic signals only plunged the congested Old market area into unprecedented traffic chaos.
And, the manual operation of the traffic signals seemed to have come to stay at least for the moment.
Apart from instructions issued by TCP Minister, Vijai Sardesai not to keep the signals on hold despite the shortcomings in the systems, sources in the traffic police as well as the National Highways told The Goan that the traffic signals will not succeed at the Old market area unless accompanied by a host of changes.
Both Traffic police as well as NH officials in private say that unless there are adequate number of slip roads, especially on the side of Kamat hotel and a trimming of the traffic circle, mechanical operation of the traffic signals is bound to fail, throwing up a moot question why authorities still continue to fancy the signals in spite of the discrepancies.
Take note, the Traffic police have done away with the signals at the circle during school peak hours in the morning and noon, but that the cops have no plan to keep the system on hold till the slip road and other road infrastructure is put in place has thrown up a question or two.
During the inspection of the Arlem traffic circle, the TCP Minister was frank in admitting that a roundabout cannot co-exist with traffic signals. But, at the same time, he has no plan to keep the traffic signals on hold till such time the traffic island is either done away with or it’s width reduced for smooth f low of traffic.
The Goan understands that the proposal to build a slip road along the Sessions road-Kamat hotel road has hit a road block after an owner told the NH officials that he has done a re-think on his plan to concede a portion of his land for the slip road. “Unless this slip road is put in place and at the earliest, traffic entering the city from the Sessions court side isn’t going to be smooth”, he added.
PWD, NH officials further informed that NOC asked with the Margao Municipal Council to bring about other infrastructure changes at the Old market circle has not evoked a positive response from the Civic body till date.
Says TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai: “Any new system is bound to disturb the status quo and will invite criticism. I am aware that the traffic signals have thrown up certain shortcomings and the Traffic and PWD officials are on the job to rectify the defects. I am confident the infrastructure changes will see light of the day. Till such time, let the signals be manned manually so that the public gets used to the system”, while ruling out any possibility to keep the traffic signals on hold.
