Amersfoort model for Panjim?
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, FEB 13
The planning experts have recommended that creating separate lanes for pedestrians, encouraging cycling and proper parking lots in Panjim can ease out the traffic congestion.
Citing similarity between the 1000-year old Amersfoort city in Netherlands and Panjim, Alexander Beets from the former city, said that Panjim can be revived into garbage-free and congestion-free road traffic.
“At least 30 per cent of Netherlands is below sea level. But the structure and overall engineering system is constructed in such a way that flood, garbage problems and traffic situations are managed appropriately”, Beets said while speaking on ‘Together For Panjim’ seminar at International Centre of Goa today.
Panjim city, which was planned during Portuguese era, is daunted with garbage and traffic problem as several lakh vehicles ply in and out daily.
Beets said that Amersfoort, which comprises of around 150,000 people, invites additional 100,000 people during the annual Jazz festival but despite this there are no road blockages.
“Alike Panjim, Amersfoort city has structures constructed near the canals. But it does not face traffic or garbage issues due to its systematic engineering. I think Panjim can be revived to cope up with these problems”, he said.
“There can be separate lanes for pedestrians, cycling and vehicular movement that can ease out traffic congestion and also avoid accidents”, he added.
The expert intends to invite Corporation of City of Panjim officials and bureaucrats to study Amersfoort’s traffic management and ways to handle garbage woes.
“We have expertise and technology to deal with garbage problem. I think citizens, government officials and related authorities can join hands to shun away this problem”, he suggested.
Goa-based architect and planning expert Dean D’Cruz echoed views of Beets. “New concepts like cycle and electric rickshaws could be introduced to decongest roads. Infact, vehicles can be stopped at the city entrance and alternate mode of transport be provided”, he said.
Claiming that most cities are dying because of vehicular traffic, D’Cruz suggested that traffic congestion in Panjim can be sorted out with the help of good traffic management plans.
“Panjim is a best model city for traffic management because historically it is a planned city”, he said commenting that multi-storey parking was not feasible in Panjim because people spend less time in the city.
Referring to Ahmedabad’s CG road in the city, the architect said that Panjim can also adapt to separate cycling lane, proper parking and commercial value of the lane.
“These methods can help to slow down traffic and people will get more time to appreciate the city. Panjim has a fabric of new western city and it has a potential to change”, he opined.
Since Panjim is on the River front, D’Cruz said that the city requires bit of planning and lot of cleanliness near the river.
GARBAGE: Environmentalist Clinton Vaz said that floods in Panjim are a result of plastic which blocks the drainage even as the city has best storm water drainages and is situated on the river bank.
“There are so many illegal houses and moreover mangroves are uprooted and trash thrown in the mangroves. This results in floods”, he said.
In the same breath, Vaz stated that despite Panjim managing its garbage efficiently, there were still grey areas.
The city generates nearly 15 tonnes of garbage daily but only 175 composters manage the waste by segregating it into organic and non-organic waste.
A few recommendations…
Solid & Liquid Waste Management
* Separate account header for waste management expense.
* Autonomy for waste management department.
* Waste management infra for bulk generators (in-house)
* Reform and upgrade present wet & dry waste.
* Commence Bainguinim site.
* Punishment for littering, urinating, spiting.
* Ward committees on line of Delhi’s RWA / Mumbai’s ALM.
Traffic Management
* Free parking at all city entry points to encourage parking outside city.
* Pay parking in the city based on time… (in parking lots)
* Strict fines for all traffic violations.
* Environmentally friendly transport system for public in city.
* Improve signage/ traffic signals.
* Make Panjim pedestrian friendly for aged & children.
* Cycle paths along the River front.
Heritage
* Heritage policy for Panjim
* Heritage regulations as proposed by GHAG
* Unprotected heritage buildings… to be protected by CCP
* Heritage gardens, bridges… to be maintained by CCP
* Campal, Fontainhas heritage zones to be taken care of.
* Preserve natural tree or floral heritage of Panjim.
* Panjim should be declared as Heritage City.
