the goan I network
VASCO
Reiterating that the local panchayat was not taken into confidence before planning a major traffic diversion for vehicles plying between Panaji and Margao via Cortalim Circle, Sancoale Sarpanch Girish Pillai on Friday said Sancoale village would be most affected by any traffic diversion plan.
“The Sancoale panchayat was never intimated at any time during the initial plan nor during the finalisation of the proposed traffic diversion. Sancoale village would be most affected, if the diversion plans take shape and there will be chaos in the village,” said Pillai, while speaking to reporters.
“There would be a mad rush of motorists attempting to take shortcuts through internal village roads, further causing traffic chaos and affecting the movement of villagers along these roads.”
“The administration will have to deploy more traffic police on our internal roads to avoid entry of vehicles trying to take shortcuts. The internal roads are so narrow that two vehicles cannot pass by at one time.”
Pillai said he had approached Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha and expressed the grievances of villagers who were against the traffic diversion plan. “I was informed that Saldanha would soon have a meeting with the contractor, panchayat bodies and the South Goa Collector, to resolve the issue and to make known how traffic would move in case the diversion plans were finalised.”
“If any proposal is planned, then things can go smoothly, but authorities have not intimated us and this traffic diversion plan could be a disaster if finalised. Proposals should not be forced on anyone overnight and expect miracles to happen,” said Pillai.
