TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 2024
Team Herald
CALANGUTE: The last weekend of the summer season brought in a multitude of tourists in the Calangute-Candolim tourism hub on Saturday, causing chaos and traffic jams all over the beach-belt, with a large number of tourists vehicles - taxis, rental, buses – creating massive traffic snarls along the narrow roads.
All the pay-parking areas at Calangute promenade and Baga were full before noon, with vehicles having nowhere to go.
The choked roads were a nightmare for locals. Residents complained that it was virtually impossible to travel to and from their residences or business establishments in normal time, due to the long traffic queues in and around Calangute. Also stuck were the patients who needed urgent medical attention.
The worst-affected were the major junctions at Calangute market, Baga circle and at St Anthony’s Chapel. There were chaotic scenes at the Baga circle throughout the day with the road leading to the beach being blocked in the morning after the pay-parking areas became full.
There was further chaos at the Calangute church-post office junction with the road being closed for the Saturday weekly market, with traffic being diverted via St Anthony's chapel junction on the busy Calangute-Candolim road, leading to constant traffic jams.
While there were traffic police at all the junctions, they were of little help to the motorists and vehicles.
Meanwhile, Drishti Marine has cautioned tourists and residents to take necessary precautions, and to stay informed about weather updates and exercise caution, while visiting beaches.
“In light of the recent rainfall and thunderstorms forecasted by the IMD, we urge all beachgoers to exercise caution. Our priority is the safety of our resident community and visitors. The sudden weather changes necessitate caution, particularly in coastal areas. Our lifesavers are on high alert and fully prepared to manage emergencies arising from these adverse weather conditions,” Drishti Marine said.
