Tired of bashing the establishment for sins of omission and commission, I had decided that at least during this festive season, I would spare the Government of criticism and instead dwell on how much good still exists and is being done by selfless and compassionate people around the world and even in this country and State, among the evil that is being perpetrated by many, unfortunately with impunity and often with the support and often connivance of the Government.
But, our law makers and bureaucrats leave, at times, no option for people like us to either harp on same issues or tackle new ones, solely in public interest, which, unfortunately they never have. Their interests, as we all know, are altogether different. Often, unfortunately, they themselves are lawbreakers or accomplices in the wrongdoings, thus compelling a few upright lovers of this land to be the watchdogs and individuals like us to continue our tirades against the government with the sole aim of creating awareness and finding solutions, which would make lives of people easier. Unfortunately the clamours fall in deaf ears, for reasons best known to the authorities.
Goa is slowly and steadily turning into another Mumbai and Bengaluru, with major traffic jams at various places and particularly on the Margao-Porvorim route, via Panjim, almost throughout the day. Besides the wastage of precious fuel, which needs to be avoided at all costs, they cause unnecessary stress to drivers and commuters, who often have to keep to schedules and be in time for their daily chores, appointments and work. Road rage is also evident, at times, which could lead to unpleasant situations. Let the Government not tell us that these are the reasons for building bridges and broader roads and Vijai Sardesai find an alibi for Mopa with the new expressway, which will not only divide our compact villages but also make difficult the life of residents. Let me not waste my readers’ and my time in pointing out the inconsistencies and U-turns of Vijai, who, a few years back staunchly opposed Mopa claiming it to be a real estate scam and today sings a different tune. Undoubtedly, wider roads and bridges are needed for better connectivity and easing traffic flow. Development generally entails some inconvenience, but solutions need to be found to minimise it.
Today Margao to Panjim or Porvorim takes over an hour and often two, at peak time. I know of people who have had to turn back as they could not proceed to their destinations in time for their appointments or functions. Solutions ought to have been thought of and found well in advance, anticipating the chaos particularly during Diwali and Christmas/ New Year festive seasons. But the Government and particularly the PWD are perhaps concentrating on how much money they can make on the projects rather than easing people’s problems. At Cortalim, particularly, at peak hours, part traffic could be diverted through Sancoale and the airport highway, but with proper supervision and monitoring to avoid indisciplined and arrogant drivers jumping the queue and creating worse jams.
Failure to erect dividers, wherever possible, have led to indiscipline and accidents. It is this indiscipline that needs to be curbed with an iron hand, which our inefficient and incompetent Police are unable to do with their higher ups perhaps helpless in getting instructions implemented and instilling discipline in their own subordinates. Two or three queues would be possible at certain spots and would be helpful for faster flow, but this needs uninterrupted monitoring to avoid further traffic mess. The situation is sure to get worse during Christmas & New Year and it will not be surprising if Goa gets choked on New Year’s eve, when thousands will flock to Goa. This irresponsible Government which lacks common sense is sure not to do much about it.
Bottlenecks and jams are unavoidable, because of simultaneous construction of two bridges, but they are not confined to the routes of such constructions alone. They are common in Margao too, where an inefficient Inspector is in charge for years. He is unable to understand that parking in turns and double, wrong or haphazard parking are the main cause of traffic jams. Instead of easing traffic by deputing staff on two-wheelers to monitor traffic flow, he seems more interested in posting traffic personnel at various spots to collect fines. Jams occur on the road from Aquem to the Market, despite part of it being a one-way street, near Clergy Home, where even the 108 ambulance (ironically meant to save lives) is parked on the turn obstructing visibility. The absence of traffic lights has also been the cause of chaos, with pedestrians being the worst sufferers, unable to cross the roads due to continuous flow of vehicles. Though the circle, near Old Market needs them the most, it is the Bolshe Circle at Gogol that got them, Madganvkars failing to know the reason for such preferential treatment for this spot.
Another reason for the jams is the obstructions primarily by shops and offices in Margao which have encroached or put up barriers on public parking spaces in front of their establishments. The MMC does nothing about it, though Vijai Sardesai had recently asked the MMC to take action. Meanwhile Maddganvkars have to live with this daily congestion, which shows no sign of any respite and about which the authorities seem unconcerned. Of late, municipal trucks move during the day collecting garbage, adding to the chaos. How much interest the Margao Minister takes in his constituency, which is part of the city is evident to all, who expected him to try his best to make Margao a better place to live in…
(The author is a retired banker).
