MARGAO: Concerns have been raised ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit to Goa on October 26 for the National Games regarding the potential impact on traffic. It is likely that the Dabolim to Verna and Verna to Margao roads (highway) will be closed from 2.30 pm to 8.30 pm on the day when the Prime Minister arrives at Dabolim and is escorted to Fatorda stadium by road.
For those living or working in South Goa, the highway from Margao/Dabolim to Verna is the main route connecting various parts of the South District to the North District, such as Panjim and vice versa.
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The affected locals are hoping that traffic police will monitor alternate routes to prevent significant congestion.
“There should be plans to ensure nothing blocks traffic on the alternate roads,” said Raj Dessai who works in Sancoale.
“The plan needs to be announced soon so that we can make alternate arrangements or know which roads are closed,” said Samuel D’Sa from Margao.
Government officials stated that the official traffic plan would be announced shortly.
O Heraldo also spoke to the President of Verna Industries Association (VIA), Pradeep Da Costa, who mentioned that they have been informed in advance and are prepared with their contingency plans.
“On October 17, 2023 there was a meeting called for by the South Goa District Collector, of all concerned stakeholders from the Administration, for which VIA were also invited on behalf of Industries at Verna. This was basically to discuss the security & traffic arrangements and preparedness for the visit of H’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi to inaugurate the National Games at Fatorda Stadium,” said Da Costa.
“From VIA’s perspective it was informed that NH-566 from Dabolim Airport to Verna, and NH-66 from Verna to Margao, would be tentatively closed for traffic from 2.30 pm to 9.30 pm and that Industries at Verna should take necessary preventive actions. This in fact has given the industry sufficient lead-time to plan and convey the same to their respective internal stakeholders,” he added.
“In actuality the main Verna Industrial Estate, will not really face a major issue, as the concerned stakeholders have alternate routes. That is, via Loutolim to Cortalim and onward to Vasco or Panjim, and similarly via Loutolim to Raia and onward to Margao. However, those planning to commute between the Industrial Estate and the Coastal Belt from Velsao to Colva, will have some issues and will have to take the route via Benaulim to Navelim to Raia,” Da Costa added.
“The main concern is for the units in Phase-1A, that is, on the opposite side of Goa Hyundai, who unfortunately have no alternate routes. However, many units that side are already working on contingency measures to face this. Unfortunately, these are mandatory security measures required for VVIP Movement, and we somehow need to adjust to these one-off needs. And as mentioned, this sufficient lead-time to plan for contingency measures, has helped a lot,” he added further.
“But hopefully, finally when SPG (Special Protection Group) comes in, and takes final control, the actual closure will not really be for that long, and will be a couple of hours when PM arrives, and then again a couple of hours, when he leaves, and in between the road will be hopefully kept open for light vehicular movement,” Da Costa concluded.
