MARGAO: The Margao Municipal Council (MMC) has geared up to take control of four traffic signals installed in its jurisdiction, alongside issuing contract for their maintenance, though failed to make all 21 CCTV cameras and one traffic signal functional at Arlem junction, which need attention with immediate effect.
The 21 CCTV cameras were installed at 11 locations but only three are functional, rest are left unused by MMC for the last many years.
The request applications from the Traffic Cell, Margao to the civic body are pending for the last many years, but MMC sidelined the maintenance works of the said CCTV cameras, though are considered important for safety and security, besides the smooth flow of the traffic in the commercial town.
There are four traffic signals at Old Market, near Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Gogal and Arlem circle, which are in the jurisdiction of the MMC, and all in the Fatorda Constituency. Reportedly one at Arlem junction is not functioning for the last 15 days, resulting in a major traffic jam.
Speaking to Herald Agnelo Fernandes, Chief Officer of MMC said that the file pertaining to the payment for Nupur Technology for their prompt action in repairing and re-commissioning the cameras is pending in front of the technical section.
“We have already asked for more funds from the Directorate of Municipal Authority. The MMC needs to pay nearly Rs 2 lakh to one private agency for the maintenance works. The file of the same will be cleared very soon and the payment will be made to the concerned agency,”said Fernandes.
Insiders in the civic body revealed that MMC is facing a tough time to allot the funds for the maintenance purposes of CCTV cameras and now for traffic signals.
Reportedly, South Goa Member of Parliament Francisco Sardinha had assured to provide additional MPLAD funds for installing more CCTV cameras in Margao.
A senior police officer said, “The CCTV cameras are not required to keep the traffic violators at bay, but to tone up the security and safety of the people staying in the town.”
