A Herald has extensively reported, while the new Zuari Bridge is
under construction, there has been another diversion. When the actual distance
between Cortalim and Verna Titan junctions is about 3.6 km, the new diverted
route is 22 km long. The diverted route leads to Chicalim junction along NH 366
and then moving towards Dabolim Airport on the Chicalim – Airport road and
proceeding towards Verna Titan junction on NH 566. Now this has really enraged
some of the commuter travelling at night. It’s going to be a long ride for them
between 11pm to 7am.
Locals complain about the current circumstances; some reach home
late, some reach their night shifts late, some are afraid of accidents, no
street lights complaints, and some spend extra for the fuel. We have
highlighted these problems in our Review section on Sunday. We now speak to
commuters directly. Let’s hear what they have to say.
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Accidents are bound to happen
No functioning streetlights, no proper road signs, bad roads are
just some of the problems. On day one it didn’t rain, but had it rained it
would have been an accident waiting to happen. You have these big inter-state
buses travelling at speed to small two wheelers and because it’s so dark you
can’t see them coming until they are close to you. Once it rains we won’t be
able to see the potholes or these incoming vehicles. Most of the time commuters
were struggling to find the right way, often stopping their vehicles, which
could lead to more accidents as there are a lot of sharp turns. Once an accident
happen only the authorities will wake up.
NESTOR FERNANDES, Hospitality Industry,
Margao
Customers enraged with transport drivers
I have to often travel between North and South Goa during the
night. The traffic diversion has affected my business. After 11pm if we have
guests travelling from Calangute to Margao or other locations in South Goa, it
requires almost an hour’s time extra to reach the location. The traffic on
internal roads at Shindolim, Chicalim, Matvem also slows down the traffic movement
at night. Sometimes customers get furious, but what can we do too?
MAHENDRA TULANKAR, Cab driver
Fuel Expense and worried parents at home
Since the bridge is being built for a good cause, I guess I can
tolerate the situation for a while. Yet, I can’t help but express my
grievances. I live in Old Goa and I travel to Margao for late night shows.
Sometimes the money that I earn it goes away in the petrol for going that extra
mile around Vasco. While that’s not the only problem, travelling back from Margao
to my home scares my parents. They stay awake late waiting for me.
ASHLEY FERNANDES, Musician, AJ5 Band,
Old Goa
It’s good, but has minor effects
I think the people that are really affected by the long turn
around Vasco are the party goers. Very few night shift people travel from that
area because most of them choose to live closer to their work place.
GARY AZAVEDO, Private Service,
Margao
Can’t Ambulance can pass by on the normal route
I live in Margao, and I have been seeing so many people having
problems due to the construction. Traffic is one problem and they found the
solution by blocking the road at night after 11; but what about people
travelling for their nightshifts? As far as I know since we have hospitals
close by it is easy during an emergency and I am glad that at least an
ambulance can pass by that route easily. However, for the rest it is sad.
BRINELLE FERNANDES, Margao Resident
Poor planning system
Instead of blocking 3.6 kms and pushing this 22 km diversion via
Chicalim to Verna, they should have only closed half of this 3.6 km as there
are smaller lanes on the original Verna Cortalim stretch that can bypass the
work. Finally, this just shows poor planning and this is just another example
of that. When they planned this new diversion they should have done an
inspection at night. There are similar problems if you take the other road via
Loutolim.
ROHAN NARVEKAR, Hospitality Industry,
Fatorda
Reaching home an hour later
After completion of my tiring night shift, I have to take the
diversion of 22 kilometres to reach my house in Utorda. Usually I reach by
12.30am at home but now I will reach by 1.30 am. I don’t know what’s going to
happen once it starts permanently. Even though there are few short cuts it is
very narrow and dangerous at night for me to travel. The rain makes it worse.
ANKET RAUL, IT Employee in
Panjim, Utorda
