THE GOAN NETWORK
CANACONA
The rush of tourists flocking to Palolem has once again exposed the constant traffic jams at Palolem beach, with scores of vehicles virtually stranded at Palolem.
The rush of vehicles especially on the eve of Independence Day and the days that followed leading to the long weekend made it difficult for tourists to travel to and from the beach.
The narrow Palolem street made it difficult for even two-wheeler riders and cyclists.
“Even pedestrians complain that they are unable to walk on the street as it does not have walking space by the roadside. The worst situation is between 12 noon and 7 pm, when traffic jams are a regular feature, stretching as long as over a kilometre,” lamented Socky Da Silva, a tourism stakeholder and social worker.
“There is a heavy influx of domestic tourists. Groups arrive with their own vehicles and this worsens the congestion on the road.”
“The Independence Day holiday followed by a long weekend has brought in hordes of domestic tourists from Tamilnadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and others states to enjoy the scenic beauty of Goa and particularly Canacona coastal areas.”
Several motorists head to hotels/rooms booked for their stays, only to get caught up in traffic jams.
The constant traffic jams during long holidays have renewed demands by locals for a road bypass to reach the main beach entrance, besides a multi-storeyed parking lot. Politicians have been regularly promising these two facilities at every elections in the municipality, State or nation.
“People have been promised widening of the existing road and another bypass and most importantly, a multi-storey parking lot to meet the ever-increasing number of vehicles in need of parking space,” said one resident.
“The Canacona Municipal Council has passed resolutions and passed the multi-storeyed parking lot, with the present and former local MLAs, ministers and even chief minister agreeing for the immediate need of a specialised parking lot.”
“But nothing is moving on the ground. This is most needed and it should not be delayed, if we are going to provide a relaxing and trouble-free holiday to visitors and guests,” the resident added.
