VRISHANK MAHATME
With the Sao Paulo market in Taleigao witnessing long queues of buses, cars, bikes and trucks on the approach road leading to it, traffic chaos has become an everyday phenomenon.
When Herald visited the market it was revealed that during the peak hours, traffic jams were witnessed particularly in front of UB Naik general stores and Raju’s vegetable store.
A resident of Sao-Paulo market area, Akram Mohidin, had to say this. “Recently the opening of new stores in the surrounding area of the market has made our life miserable because the store does not have car parking, resulting in daily traffic jams.”
It was also witnessed that, if any heavy vehicle, like a truck or bus passes through this junction, it leads to the massive traffic congestion, especially in the mornings at around 8 am with students and office-goers, Normally the market area witnesses a heavy rush of people coming on vehicles which worsens the situation.
Unlike other market complexes in Goa, Taleigao’s Sao-Paulo market is not housed in one single roof, as majority of the fish, fruits and vegetable vendors sell their products on the road side, thus blocking the footpath and creating ultimate ruckus.
“Crossing Sao-Paulo market is always agonising due to the heavy traffic, bikes parked in front of the shops leading to further congestion,” said Arun Vengurlekar, a local resident of Taleigao.
It was also revealed through the locals that traffic police are never deployed at this spot. In the absence of police vehicles are parked irregularly at the road side, which chokes the entire traffic movement.
“During peak rush hours, traffic moves like a snail and commuting on the market road becomes a nightmare as people park their vehicles haphazardly on the road,” said Akash Kurade.
The stray cattle menace also seems to be upsetting the silky flow of traffic and has become a big threat not only for pedestrians but also for the commuters either in cars or public transport.
Not only do these stray cattle pose danger to the lives of commuters, they are also a major block to the smooth flow of traffic. Many a time, stray cattle can be seen sitting in the middle of roads, leading to traffic jams.
However, the locals feel that this traffic issue cannot be solved, as there is no space available for parking. A new market complex with parking facility is the only solution and needs to be done on priority basis, say the locals.
The local residents of Taleigao, have also expressed dissatisfaction as the long pending proposal to shift the market premises has still not seen the daylight.
As Herald spoke to some of the vendors, it was clear that they were not happy, as they informed our team, that the new market complex, as promised by the Panchayat and MLA, has still not come up and it only feels like a dream which will never come true.
Taleigao is one of the most developing villages, when it comes to wide roads and high-rise buildings, but a few spots like the Sao Paulo market need immediate attention and the authorities should come up with a solution soon, say residents.
“The village Panchayat of Taleigao has already passed the resolution to go ahead with the new market complex and is awaiting final permission from the NGPDA and then construction will be taken over by GSIDC. This new market complex will definitely solve the traffic congestion, as it will have ample space, allotted only for parking,” said Estella Estevam D’Souza, Deputy Sarpanch, Village Panchayat, Taleigao
