Just a week ago there was a major accident in Valpoi leading to a loss of around Rs three lakh. A van had collided with a couple of two-wheelers and a four-wheeler parked in a shed off the main road near the Maruti temple. The accident again gave rise to concerns of the traffic issues that require to be addressed.
But officials say that Valpoi’s traffic problems will be settled only after permission comes from the Town and Country Planning department for a traffic plan.
“Valpoi Municipal Council (VMC) has already submitted a traffic plan to Town and Country Planning department for their approval and we are awaiting clearance,” VMC chairman Ramdas Shirodkar told Herald.
The number of vehicles in the town has been increasing gradually leading to congestion on the streets and problems for pedestrians and commuters, which will be solved only after the traffic plan is put in place.
In the morning hours and around noon, traffic gets affected due to the number of passenger buses arriving from the villages are higher. It is also difficult for students to cross the road during these hours.
Earlier, when Umesh Gulelkar was VMC chairperson, a change in traffic plan was followed on a trial basis and this had run smoothly.
There are complaints of some two-wheeler riders parking their vehicles in any available space creating problems for other commuters. Locals suggest that these be shifted to the new bus stand to avoid congestion in the town. The municipal market complex basement can be used for two-wheeler parking but locals say the council is not serious about this.
Currently, due to the rains, water gets accumulated in the area and it is difficult to park vehicles there, riders said. Vehicle owners also park their vehicles in front of their houses occupying road space making it inconvenient to other commuters.
