Team Herald
PANJIM: The Traffic police have made special traffic diversion plan during the Carnival parade in Panjim on Saturday, which will be in force till the conclusion of the float parade.
The traffic coming to Panjim city will be diverted at Goa Konkani Academy tri-junction to proceed via old Patto Bridge – Joao Castro Road – Jose Falcao Road – Church Square to reach their respective destinations, according to a press statement issued by Traffic Department on Thursday.
Vehicles from new Mandovi bridge and from Bambolim entering the city will not be allowed to enter the Panjim city via Divja Circle instead diverted via Konkani Academy tri-junction – old Patto Bridge to enter the capital.
Once the float parade begins, city buses will not be allowed to ply in either direction till the float parade is over.
A separate arrangement has been made for the outgoing traffic as vehicles from Miramar side will have to take right turn from Campal Ganesh junction to proceed via Fire Brigade Junction – St. Inez Junction – Caculo Island – M.G. Road/18th June Road – Hindu Pharmacy road – Casa International – Match Corner – Behind Secretariat – New Patto Bridge (presently used for incoming) – Divja Circle – KTC/Kingfisher circle.
Traffic approaching from Rua-de-Ourem, on reaching near Hotel Sona will not be allowed to take right turn. This traffic will be diverted to take left turn and then right turn near Hotel Vihar and exit via new Patto Bridge.
In view of ban of entry of vehicles into the city, no heavy/commercial vehicles will be allowed to enter the city. Similarly, heavy and other commercial vehicles including all tourist buses coming from Dona Paula will not be allowed beyond Miramar Circle after 2pm.
Regarding parking of vehicles, the Traffic Department has stated that all vehicles coming from North Goa will be parked at EDC Plaza near KTC bus stand; whereas, all vehicles coming from South Goa are requested to take road via GMC-Goa University and park their vehicles at Campal Parade Ground.
Jose Falcao Road, Joao Castro Road, Match Corner to Casa International (M G Road), Caculo Island to St Inez junction and KTC Circle to Divja Circle are No Parking Zones on the Carnival day.
The procession that would begin from 3pm will see floats initially assembling from Divja Circle to Ribandar-Merces junction on Ribandar causeway, and this stretch will be closed for general traffic from 10pm on Friday to 5pm on Saturday – after the floats cross the Divja Circle.
Vehicles proceeding from Panjim city towards Ribandar – Old Goa will be diverted towards KTC Circle – Merces Circle – Ribandar Merces junction to come to Ribandar Causeway and proceed further to their destinations, and vehicles coming from Old Goa – Ribandar to Panjim from Ribandar Causeway will be diverted at Ribandar Patto junction towards Chimbel junction to proceed to Merces Circle for their onward journey.
From 2pm on Saturday, all floats will be allowed to come up to the starting point, that is, old Secretariat via D B B Marg on the river side lane. The floats will culminate near Kala Academy and thereafter will be parked at Bandodkar football ground and shall remain there still further instructions from Traffic Police. No floats will be allowed to enter the city via Rua De Ourem road once the float parade begins.
