The lesser known ward of St Cruz constituency – Cujira – that hogged the spotlight during the Lusofonia Games held in January 2014 only to be forgotten later, has got a new lease of life. Located near NH-17 on the outskirts of Panjim city, the ward is now likened to an education hub with three institutions functioning from the State government’s ambitious integrated school complex.
City-based Dr K B Hedgewar School, Dhempe higher secondary school of Arts & Science and Dempo HSS of Commerce have shifted to the new campus at Cujira besides an additional three – Mushtifund Saunsthan, Rosary High School and Anjuman Nurul Islam High School – lined up to relocate by year-end.
National Games scheduled to be held in 2016 at the athletic ground at Bambolim, barely a distance from the school complex is a bonus. However, all this comes with a major setback from the point of managing vehicular traffic. The government’s aim to shift city schools to Cujira was essentially to decongest traffic in the capital during peak hours. While it has to a certain level, the chaos is now shifting to Cujira.
The problem during the early morning and afternoon hours has kept the traffic department on its toes. With more schools to come up at the campus and the National Games next year, the situation is likely to worsen.
The residents are contented that the government chose their village for the development but in the same breath; demand to chalk out a proper traffic management plan. “The problem has escalated in the last one month. Since the construction of the complex, there have been issues and now with the re-opening of educational institutions, the mess is unbearable,” St Cruz resident Anthony Lobo said.
What has upset locals is that the government’s plan was without considering the flow of traffic. “There are people travelling to offices, Goa medical college and other places on a daily basis. The introduction of schools has added to the traffic burden especially during peak hours. It could be a major problem for patients in need of emergency treatment,” a resident doctor at GMC said.
Deputy Superintendent of north Goa traffic police Dharmesh Angle said they have already deployed traffic personnel to manage the traffic near Cujira complex. “Schools have just shifted. We have already begun studying the vehicular flow to come up with a solution. The timings, type of vehicles, etc will be taken into consideration,” he said admitting one-way traffic is hit owing to the functioning at Cujira complex.
The next challenging task will be managing the show during the national games, albeit this event will put Cujira on the national map. The Sports and Youth Affairs reposed all its hopes on the traffic department terming it as ‘efficient and competent.’ “Lusofonia Games, the annual electronic dance music festival and IFFI have been a success and I expect the traffic police will take adequate precautions during the national games as well. It is a competent and efficient department. Holding the athletic event won’t be an issue. The fears are unfounded,” Director V M Prabhudesai said.
Nevertheless, Cujira has come alive through the ruling coalition’s initiative with some developmental projects around the village in the pipeline.
