Tolentino A. Colaço
The PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar sees ‘redeemer’ in former ‘oppressor’ and calls for developing Goa on Portugal’s model. The PWD minister further says that “Goa is proud to have an understanding with Portugal, because when the Portuguese were ruling Goa, they had implemented lot of developmental projects. Now considering all that, we can definitely think over, in future, regarding development of Goa based on Portugal model”. A paradigm shift indeed, considering the fact that the PWD minister during the visit of Prime Minister of Portugal Dr António Costa to Goa in January 2018 was demanding an apology for his country’s oppressive colonial rule in Goa. Whether the statements made and the feelings expressed by the PWD minister regarding Portugal stem out from his heart or just superficial statements to appease the Portuguese Minister is a million dollar question. It is good news perhaps that better sense has prevailed upon the PWD minister finally.
Nonetheless, one of the models which the Goa Government may adopt and learn from Portugal is the construction & maintenance of roads, and the traffic & transport system. Portugal has very good roads and a full proof traffic system in place.
Roads in Portugal whether it is an expressway, village or city road or street are free from potholes and craters. There are no speed breakers to break the speed and no rumblers to break the backbone. Directions and signages are clearly visible from a distance. Pavements, sidewalks and pedestrian crossings are embedded with white colour square type granite stones (called calçada). There are traffic signals at most pedestrian crossings but where there are no traffic signals, the vehicles by law are required to stop and allow the pedestrian to cross the road first. Everybody obeys the traffic rules. Seat belts are compulsory both for the driver as well as the companion by the side. The Portuguese seldom use the horn.
Public transport buses stop strictly, only at the bus stop and nowhere else. There are bus bays at each and every bus stop. Thus whenever a bus stops, the flow of other vehicular traffic is not hampered. The control to open and close the doors rests with the driver.
There are no conductors. Each passenger pays his or her fare to the driver who issues a machine generated ticket and the exact change within a short time. Almost all passengers hold a monthly or quarterly pass / card which they swipe at the swiping machine installed at the entrance of the bus. Public transport buses are not permitted to hang on at the bus stop soliciting passengers.
Overtaking on the wrong side is a punishable offence. Thus none overtakes on the wrong side. Driving with full beam at night and LED lights is a punishable offence. On a one-way road the slow speed vehicle has to drive on the slow lane. There are driving schools which teach and instruct the candidates about the rules of overtaking, stopping at pedestrian crossings, ring roads etc. The Goa government may think of deputing a team to Portugal to study the transport system and implement it in Goa so that the high incidence of road accidents in Goa is reduced or totally eliminated.
