Team Herald

PANJIM: The bridge over the Ourem creek, connecting Mala to the Patto complex will bring relief to residents of Mala and Patto, as Phase 1 of the bridge is set to be inaugurated on Wednesday.

This new bridge is expected to shorten the distance from the south-eastern parts of the city and its suburbs in St Cruz by at least by 1.5 kms and help decongest the area. It will also provide an alternative to traffic originating from Mala, Fontainhas, St Cruz, Bhatulem, Altinho and Taleigao which proceeds to bus stand to exit Panjim city.

“Currently, commuters coming to Mala, Caranzalem, St Inez and Dona Paula have to travel through KTC stand, and take the D B Marg but the bridge will shorten the distance and also help decongest traffic at KTC,” said Nilesh Khandeparkar, a commuter. 

However, others question the possible bottleneck that could be created at Mala. “The new link will help ease traffic but the major question is whether it will create a chaotic situation near Mala as there is not enough space to accommodate vehicles existing from the new bridge due to the smaller road. There is a need of a traffic plan and need to discuss the need of signals,” said Nandesh Chari, a Mala resident .

Residents also feel that the Mala road, being a major route, also causes traffic to come to a standstill as buses stop in the middle of the road while some feel that vehicles coming from four directions, are sure to make things worse.

Another resident Mandar Goankar said, “The new bridge is definitely a plus point. The concern is what the authorities have planned to stop a chaotic situation at the exit point at Mala.”

Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC), Vice-Chairman Siddharth Kunkaliencar said, “There will be no bottleneck anywhere. We are catering to increasing traffic in a systematic and proper manner. This is a long-pending dream of Mala residents, which is being fulfilled. Creation of alternative entry-exit points to the city will ease traffic.”

He added, “Panjim is growing, and we are working to ensure that the needs and requirements of the people are fulfilled in the correct sense. This bridge will help everyone. Phase two has already begun, the water pipeline is shifted, now we are currently in the process of shifting 33KV overhead wires to cable on the service bridge.” 

Traffic Department too has swung into action. “The Traffic Cell has started analysing areas on both sides of the bridge. The traffic pattern around the bridge is also being analysed but this is still at preliminary stage. We will prepare a detailed traffic movement chart after which it will be placed for discussion and then begin with the implementation,” Deputy Superintendent of Police (North Goa Traffic Cell) Dharmesh Angle told Herald.