CUJIRA COMPLEX – INTEGRATED CHAOS ON DAY 1

The State government’s main intention behind setting up the Cujira school complex was to decongest the Panjim city but three years down the line, it appears that the key arrangements at this huge premise have failed miserably.

Traffic chaos is an annual scenario, which was also witnessed on day-one of the new academic session when parents and their wards faced a tough time during the early morning hours. The integrated school complex is also marred by several shortcomings like drinking water, playground, proper road, parking lot, common halls, etc.

The situation on the first day of the school was frustrating for some parents when they were stuck in the long traffic snarls. According to them, barely any traffic personnel were seen on the road. “It was unfortunate that there was not a single traffic police at Bambolim. On the first day of the schools re-opening there is always a rush of people. This year there is an addition of new schools, which means the number of students will go up but the arrangements for smooth vehicular traffic are nil,” said Rupesh Chari, who had to park his car by the road side and walk at least 300 mtrs to drop his 11-year-old son to school.

The Traffic Department has conceded the chaotic traffic situation and assured to bring it under control in the coming days. “The traffic was huge because parents had accompanied their children being the first day to the school. But the situation was brought under control later in the afternoon. We will deploy additional traffic personnel at Cujira tomorrow (Tuesday),” Deputy Superintendent of (North) Traffic Police Dharmesh Angle told Herald. The officer denied absence of traffic personnel at the school complex.

Interestingly, minutes before the schools’ opening hours, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar inaugurated a Kadamba bus for the students of Panjim at Mushtifund School at Mala. By this time, the traffic build up had begun particularly because there is only one entry and one exit at the Cujira complex. Several vehicles, including school buses had nearly covered the road width in absence of proper access.

“There was no planning. At Cujira school complex, there is a single entry and exit which is creating problem for the commuters. Three years is enough to sort these things out,” Anita Hegde, a mother of two daughters in primary school told Herald

It was noticed that in absence of parking space many parents had parked their vehicles on the road side, which further led to the chaotic situation.

Sources said the plan for exit route for this complex was on hold because the land belonging to BSNL was not transferred to the State government. Nevertheless, just recently the government acquired the land and the work is said to be starting soon. “The temporary road leading to the Cujira complex is being used since its inauguration. It is not even tarred but we have no complaints. The government agency should at least carry out the work of the other road so that the traffic is eased out,” one of the school teachers said, wishing anonymity.

Dr K B Hedgewar High School, Mushtifund High School, Dhempe and Dempo Higher Secondary Schools have been functioning from the integrated school complex while Rosary High School shifted just recently to begin the academic year from the new premises. Anjuman Nurul Islam High School is expected to shift during the academic year, probably by year-end.

Headmaster of Hedgewar HS Vilas Satarkar urged government to open the road through the BSNL office at the earliest ‘so that the entry road can be made one-way. The traffic police are also required to be deputed.’

Education Director G P Bhat revealed they have been holding periodical meetings with the concerned, including the traffic police, to ease the traffic around the venue.

The students also complained of lack of basic amenities like drinking water, playground, common halls, etc for schools to use, all of which was a part of the project. However, Bhat said that drinking water is to be arranged by the concerned school managements.

That may well be the case, but the traffic management in this school complex needs to be implemented smoothly before much water flows down the Mandovi.