I am a daily commuter from Colva to Margao and I encounter the Old-Market Circle (wrongly called the Colva circle) everyday. Multiple times some days.
In my view, the recently installed traffic signals seem to be working quite fine, contrary to popular rants about how the signal installation has made things difficult. It is just that prior to the signals, we were habituated to behaving like caged wild animals who are suddenly released. No consideration of anything. Everyone wanted to go first. It was a clear embodiment of the ‘Survival of the fittest’ concept. The bigger the car, the more clout you could exercise! Yes, the waiting time has marginally increased. Maybe by a minute, if one takes an average. But the chaos at the roundabout has definitely been solved.
All these people who complain about this traffic signal should live, work, and drive to work in Mumbai at least for two months. Especially on SV Road, Eastern Express Highway, or on Link Road (not to be confused with Linking Road, Bandra). The true meaning of getting stuck at a traffic signal will be revealed to them then. Having said this, there are a few pointers that could be considered to fine-tune the system and to reduce the frustrations being currently experienced:
We as drivers/riders need to educate ourselves about the advantages of maintaining lane discipline. Respect the left turn. It is always open. So if you are not going to be turning left then at least don’t block the left lane. That would ensure that the left-turners can keep moving, thus reducing the jam.
For heaven’s sake stop honking away! Learn the importance of ‘right-of-way’.
Another noteworthy thing is the old road leading from the Old Market tintto, connecting to the Colva road. If this road has to be repaired and made use of, a lot of woes would be pacified. It would reduce the pressure on the Abade Faria road and the Old Court bottle-neck. This would, however, require the cooperation of the MMC. Currently the MMC utilises the area near the Sulabh as a parking area for their road-rollers and garbage trucks. If they could be allocated an alternate parking location, then the traffic heading to Colva from the Abade Faria road via the Old Court (which is sizable) can be routed from this old road to Colva. Believe me, this would solve a lot of problems. There are always teething problems and collateral hiccups with any progressive initiative. But there also are potential solutions. I would in conclusion say that we need to exercise a little patience and discipline. Let’s not behave like road-ruffians, like wildebeest, like caged animals. Everything will fall into place in due course.
