Team Herald
MARGAO: The commercial hub of South Goa, is grappling with severe traffic congestion as heavy vehicles continue to enter the city despite official restrictions. Authorities have imposed a ban on the entry of heavy vehicles, excluding buses, during peak hours—from 8 am to 1 pm and from 4 pm to 7 pm. However, these vehicles still ply throughout the day within the town.
The situation is exacerbated by the removal or poor visibility of signboards notifying the public of the restrictions at key entry points. As a result, fully loaded heavy vehicles can be seen navigating several busy roads, including Station Road, Cine Lata, Khareband, and Borda, contributing to significant traffic jams.
Locals have expressed their frustration over the ongoing violations. Mahesh Nayak, a Gogol Housing Board resident, highlighted that heavy vehicles frequently enter restricted areas to unload goods, causing further congestion. He noted that the police appear to be turning a blind eye to these violations, focusing instead on smaller vehicles.
Sandeep Pedneker, another resident, pointed out that the slow movement of loaded vehicles during peak hours exacerbates the traffic situation. He accused the authorities of ignoring the blatant disregard for the restrictions imposed by the District Magistrate.
In response to the growing concerns, sources within the Margao traffic police cell have stated that they have begun cracking down on heavy vehicles entering the town, with several cases filed in recent days. The department is also planning to address the issue of inter-state and tourist buses that are contributing to the congestion.
Meanwhile, the traffic police are yet to tackle the problem of unauthorised bus stops, which allow operators to pick up passengers at non-designated locations. Buses reportedly make between 16 to 19 stops on their route from the KTC bus stand to Margao market, taking nearly 35 minutes to complete the journey.
Residents have demanded more stringent enforcement of traffic regulations to make Margao congestion-free.