Team Herald,
PANJIM: Chaos reigned supreme in the Capital due to the closure of the new Patto Bridge, a key route into the city, leading to significant traffic congestion in the Patto area on Friday.
The bridge closure, due to repair work on damaged expansion joints, is scheduled to go on till April 14.
Congestion persisted throughout the day, especially during peak hours between 10 am and 12 pm and again from 5 pm to 7 pm. Serpentine queue of vehicles could be seen on all access roads, whether proceeding towards Panjim from Merces and Bhatlem or leaving the city.
Motorists, particularly office goers, expressed frustration with the road closure timings.
Madhu Naik, an executive in a private firm in the city, said, “I fail to understand as to why the road closure has been announced this month. It is so hot and we were forced to travel in the scorching heat for around half-an-hour to cover a short distance.”
Echoing similar sentiments, Christina Fernandes from Calangute, who was in town to make some purchases, said, “It is so hot and unbearable. Already the traffic is moving at a snail’s pace in Porvorim and the traffic congestion in Panjim is like adding salt to injury. I do not know when this problem will be over.”
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a motorist said, “The repair works should have been carried out during the night or on weekends to minimise disruptions. It is not proper to ‘roast’ the taxpayers in the scorching sun. The bridge joints were covered by iron sheets for so many months and why did the authorities choose this month to carry out comprehensive repairs?”
The traffic issues also affected local businesses, including food delivery services, leading to customer complaints and order cancellations. Motorcycle pilots too faced similar challenges.
A food delivery boy said, “It was difficult to reach the customers on time. Despite a few order cancellations, customers grumbled over the late arrival of the food items.”
Meanwhile, the Goa Traffic Cell advised people to maintain lane discipline and avoid overtaking to prevent traffic congestion.
“Due to the closure of New Patto Bridge at Panjim, the movement of vehicular traffic is a bit slower. Motorists are requested to maintain lane discipline and avoid overtaking to prevent traffic congestion,” SP Traffic, Goa, said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
As per the traffic diversion plan, during the four day period, two-way movement of vehicular traffic will be allowed on new Patto Bridge (riverside) during morning hours.
The movement of traffic on old Patto Bridge will be reversed and will be used only to enter Panjim and vehicles entering Panjim via Old Patto Bridge will be allowed to take right turn near SOHO club to proceed to D B Marg via Umesh Keni Petrol Pump. Traffic exiting Panjim via Church Square – Cortin shall compulsory take right turn at Cortin foot bridge to exit via new Mala Bridge, except route buses, no heavy vehicle will be allowed to use new and old Patto Bridges to enter Panjim. Heavy vehicles carrying essential commodities will be allowed to enter the city only via the new Mala Bridge – Bhatlem side or via Goa Medical College and Hospital at Bambolim – Dona Paula – Miramar side.