Residents under siege as tourists flood beach belt

Residents under siege as tourists flood beach belt
Despite a well publicised traffic movement, daily traffic congestion along the Calangute-Candolim beach belt proved a nightmare for locals, as heavy vehicles allowed into the area, jammed the narrow roads.
Domestic and foreign tourists may have flocked to the Calangute-Candolim beach belt for a dream holiday during the festive season, but it has been a nightmare for residents in the area.
Life virtually came to a standstill due to endless traffic congestions along the Calangute-Candolim road, largely due to the influx of inter-state light and heavy vehicles along the narrow coastal roads.
Residents found it virtually impossible to travel to and from their residences or business establishments in normal time, due to the long queues in and around Calangute.
Worst affected were the patients who needed urgent medical attention or those who had a scheduled appointment or an important event to attend.
The traffic  island at St Anthony’s Chapel at Gaura Vaddo-Calangute was one of the worst affected areas with constant traffic jams. A policeman was on duty at the strategic point, but was of little help to the motorists and vehicles.
“The Traffic Cell should have devised a strategy to control the smooth movement of traffic, but the Cell is found wanting on all counts,” complained a resident.
“The Traffic Cell has done little to control the traffic, as inter-state buses were allowed entry along the narrow roads, further congesting the busy roads,” the resident added.
Frequent traffic congestions were also witnessed at the junction from Bodko Vhodd at Porba Vaddo to Mapusa-Saligao-Panjim.
“The Sunburn Festival got over, but the traffic congestion continues till the New Year. There was a heavy rush of vehicles along the roads, thereby creating traffic blocks,” said Vila Lobo, another local.
“The Traffic Cell should have planned a more efficient traffic system along the major roads of Calangute. There was no scope for a vehicle to move ahead if they were caught in a traffic jam.”
“The buses could have been blocked somewhere in front of St Alex Church, Calangute, but nobody seems interested in people’s welfare,” added Lobo.
“The hotels were totally full, so it is obvious that there would be a heavy rush of vehicles. But why did authorities allow buses along these routes,” questioned a resident Savio D’Souza.
Police officials, who declined to comment on the traffic chaos along the busy roads of Calangute, claimed they had done their best to control the traffic during the Christmas season.