TEAM HERALD
PORVORIM: The commencement of the work on the third Mandovi bridge has resulted in severe traffic jams near Sai Service in Porvorim on a daily basis.
While the helpless Traffic Police claim it is doing all it can to streamline the problem, a furious Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte has blamed authorities for starting the work while tourism is still at its peak.
Traffic jams near the Sai Service at Porvorim have become a regular affair, as hundreds of commuters heading towards Panjim are caught up in serpentine queues of vehicles.
Ever since work on the third Mandovi bridge has commenced at the road divider near the Sai Service, the width of both roads at the site has decreased substantially, leaving barely one vehicle to cross the narrow road at any given time.
As a result, a huge queue of traffic is seen near the Hero Motors junction as hundreds of vehicles queue up to move towards the twin Mandovi bridges. During peak hours, the queues reach as far as the Porvorim petrol pump and it takes nearly an hour just to pass the roadwork near Sai Service.
Ambulances rushing patients to the hospitals are often held up, while office-goers and school/college students are also severely inconvenienced due to these traffic jams.
When contacted, Traffic Police Inspector Salim Sheikh said the police have been doing its best to ease traffic congestion.
“We have now removed the barricades near Mandovi Bridge and have allowed traffic proceeding from the Reis Magos-Betim road to proceed directly towards the bridge,” informed Sheikh.
Explaining the problem that has led to the severe traffic congestion, PI Sheikh said: “The company constructing the bridge needs space of seven-and-half metres on either sides from the centre of the road. The width of each road is 15 metres. Hence, only seven-and half metres are left for the vehicles to proceed towards the bridge from Sai Service,” said Sheikh.
“It is for this reason that congestion takes place near Sai Service. Police department has deployed 15 police traffic personnel to regulate traffic. The government is in the process of widening of road near Sai Service, but there is no much scope to widen the road. This situation is expected to continue for the next six months,” informed Sheikh.
When contacted, Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte criticised the State government for having started construction work of the bridge at the beginning of the year.
“They should have started the work somewhere in February when the tourist inflow reduces. The only way to reduce traffic congestion is to open waterways,” he said.
“The State government should increase the frequency of ferry services at Betim during peak hours. Further, there is a ramp at Malim under the bridge. The government could dredge up area and ply ferry boats to ferry the vehicles. Vehicles from Salvador-do-Mundo/Britona and Calangute/Reis Magos could go to Panjim in the ferry boats,” he said.
“I have already made these suggestions to the State government, but the government does not seem to be in a mood to implement them. They seem to be totally engrossed in the casino culture,” Khaunte stated.
