CORTALIM: Three ambulances with patients, and passengers rushing to catch their flights or trains were among the hundreds of vehicles that were stuck on approaches as well as on the Zuari Bridge itself, enduring a nightmare of a time after a bus broke down blocking traffic on both sides for at least 6 hours.
People missed appointments, and connecting trains, and at least 10 flights were delayed as planes waited for their passengers, travellers were caught at the airport for lack of taxis – essentially time stood still as authorities struggled with a losing battle to maintain some discipline and clear the massive traffic jam that clogged both sides of the bridge.
One ambulance from Karwar was going to Panjim while 2 from Panjim going to South Goa and were stuck on either side with patients.
While airlines waited till as late as 5 minutes before take-off for passengers to board, many still missed their scheduled flights and were forced to make adjustments.
Incessant rains added to the trouble as rainfall in many parts of Goa recorded more than 100 mm on Thursday itself. Heavy rains are expected to continue till Saturday.
Congress’ general secretary Pratima Coutinho, who was heading to Herald office in Panjim to participate in a discussion on HCN news channel failed to make it, as she was stranded for four hours.
Not only the bus passengers but other people on their way to the airport, railway stations and residences post-work hours were stranded.
R Sharma, a businessman from Jaipur booked himself on three flights leaving within 30 minutes of each other hoping to get the next if he missed the earlier flight. He missed all three and finally took a late evening flight to Mumbai to spend the night and leave for Jaipur on Saturday morning.
Margarida de Miranda had some legal work in Panjim. She faced the jam both ways. It took her close to two hours – an hour from Loutolim to Panjim and the same time to go back. She says that she was stuck on the bridge for more than an hour.
Speaking to Herald, sources at Dabolim airport police said no passenger has missed the flight, but “check-in timing for the passengers have been relaxed and even if the passengers reach the airport minutes before the departure, they will be allowed to board the flight after completing the required formalities,” informed a police official, with sources saying that adjustments would be made to accommodate the passengers who have missed their flights.” However, Mr Sharma’s story proves that not everyone made it.
However, many passengers who had arrived at Dabolim airport were left stranded for over two hours, as no taxis were available at the airport.
Such is the state on the Zuari that it takes one faulty bus to throw life completely out of gear for thousands of commuters. And we call our state an international tourist destination.
