PANJIM: The Goa Traffic Police has announced diversions and changes to the flow of traffic in Panjim for the annual carnival festival that commences on Saturday, February 26. Details shared with the media states that the carnival floats will initially assemble from Divja Circle to Ribandar-Merces Junction on Ribandar Causeway.
The Ribandar Causeway from Divja Circle to Ribandar-Merces bypass junction will be used for lining of floats and as such, it will be closed for the general traffic from 10 pm of February 25, to 5 pm on February 26, which means after all the floats have crossed the Divja Circle the 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 then proceed further to their destinations.
Similarly, 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 2 pm of Saturday, all floats will be allowed to come up to the starting point, that is, Old Secretariat via DBB Marg on the river side lane. The floats will culminate near Kala Academy and thereafter parked at Bandodkar football ground where it shall remain till further instructions from Traffic Police. No floats will be allowed to enter the city via Rua de Ourem road once the floats parade commences.
Incoming traffic
The incoming traffic to the capital Panjim city from Kingfisher Circle side 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 to their respective destinations. The Vehicles coming from new Mandovi bridge and Bambolim side to enter Panjim city will not be allowed to enter via Divja Circle. They will be diverted via Konkani Academy tri-junction – old Patto bridge to enter Panjim city and once the float parade begins, the city buses will not be allowed to ply in either direction till the float parade is over.
Outgoing traffic
Similarly, the outgoing traffic from Miramar side will take a 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.
They may also exit Panjim city via Dona Paula Road – Goa University Road. The traffic coming from Rua-de-Ourem on reaching near Hotel Sona will not be allowed to take right. This traffic will be diverted to take left turn and then right turn near Hotel Vihar and exit via new Patto bridge and in view of ban on entry of vehicles into the city, no heavy /commercial vehicles would be allowed to enter the city.
Similarly, the heavy and other commercial vehicles including all tourist buses coming from Dona Paula will not be allowed beyond Miramar Circle after 2 pm on February 26.
Parking
All vehicles coming from North Goa to attend the function will be parked at EDC Plaza near KTC bus stand and all vehicles coming from South Goa are requested to take road via GMC-Goa University and park their vehicles at Campal Parade ground.
No Parking Zones
Jose Falcao Road, Joao Castro Road, Match Corner to Casa International (M G Road), Caculo Island to St Inez junction, KTC Circle to Divja Circle.
