Making one-way streets, or shifting of educational institutes from the capital to the newly built Cujira Integrated School Complex or citing congestion during peak hours, have all failed to control the chaotic traffic which still remains the same in Panjim.

Rising number of vehicles in the city along with narrow roads and lack of public transport facilities are some of the reasons commuters say is the cause of the chaos. As Herald visited the city’s main roads such as Dr Pissurlekar road, M.G road, 18 June road, Divja Circle and Dr Atmaram Borkar road during peak rush hours, it was found that traffic sometimes just comes to a standstill leaving the commuters frustrated.

“There should be a change that will solve this issue to a certain extent. The government should introduce efficient public transport system like metro rails or increase cabs or start frequent mini buses on the internal roads of the city where currently public transport is not available,” said Anirudh Bhaje, a local resident

In September 2015, the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) had resolved to implement ‘One Way Road Traffic Plan’ on trial basis from September but soon after receiving a favourable response after the trial period, the traffic department and the CCP again decided to extend the trial as commuters agreed that traffic was more streamlined and parking vehicles became much easier.

Another resident Nilesh Kamat had this to say, “One way plans seem to have worked only for some time and the same happened with the government’s plan to shift schools out of the city. Both these options gave relief only for some period but now with the number of vehicles increasing in the city along with outstation vehicles the traffic chaos continues in the city.”

Further locals have pointed out that lack of traffic signals and also non functional signals at St Inez junction and near old Patto Bridge has also led to the traffic chaos.

Meanwhile, in the Budget 2017-18, CM Parrikar proposed to draft and implement a dedicated traffic management plan for Panjim besides Margao, Vasco, Mapusa and Ponda to solve the congestion.