the goan I network
MAPUSA
With less than a week left to celebrate the annual feast of Our Lady of Milagres (miracles) at St Jerome’s Church, Mapusa, local authorities have their task cut out to organize and put things in order along the two key roads near the Mapusa church that turn into a hub of activity on the feast day and a week after that.
For motorists from Aldona and particularly for residents of Gaunsavaddo, life turns into a nightmare as the two roads turn into a beehive of activity due to large turnout of devotees and the presence of fair.
The ongoing work to test the sewerage pipeline has left depressions around the manholes (sewerage chambers) on several city roads.
One such road near the Mapusa church has at least six such chambers which could cause hindrance for smooth movement of traffic.
The road stretch from the Alankar theatre to the church has worn out at a few places at the church-end.
At several places, gravel and dry waste is found dumped by the side of the roads. Since the main road from Alankar theatre to the church is closed for motorists on the feast day, vehicle owners have the option to use the top road near the cemetery. However, this road is uneven and overgrown shrubs could act as a spoiler for motorists.
Mapusa Municipal Council Chairperson Rohan Kavlekar said the council will take prompt steps to clear the roads leading up to the church.
“We will engage at least a dozen of workers along the two roads and the area around the church for cleanliness and to clear any hindrances along the stretch,” Kavlekar said.
The fair that is set up on the eve of the feast inconveniences motorists and pedestrians alike. The stalls that are setup on both the roads restrict the width of the narrow road further.
Some permanently parked vehicles along the stretch also add to the congestion on these roads.
On the feast day, parking becomes a huge problem even as lack of space leaves very little option for traffic police.
Four-wheeler owners find it extremely difficult to get in and out of the parking lot near the church after the end of every mass due to the rush of devotees entering and exiting the church compound.
“On the feast day, the road from Alankar theatre to the church is made one-way for vehicles to enter the church parking lot, while the other road around the church is reserved for vehicles to exit,” Traffic Police Inspector, Tushar Vernekar said.
“All vehicles from the Aldona side are diverted from the highway,” he added.
He said this system was the best option under the circumstances and has been working quite fine for the last couple of years.
The Milagres feast attended by people from different communities across the State will be celebrated on April 16.
