If everything goes as planned by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, the state capital – Panjim could see a drastic reduction in traffic congestion giving much need relief from the mismanaged traffic system. In a bid to give city a new look, the BJP-government led by Parrikar, local MLA, is working out a plan to shift all the government offices out of the capital to the EDC Patto complex in coming next two years, probably in a phased manner.
The project, which was initially mooted by Parrikar himself during his earlier tenure in 2012, saw no headway post his elevation to Central cabinet in November 2014. Now that he is back, Chief Minister aims to decongest the city by 2020.
“Nothing has been finalised as of now. Though, roughly, Chief Minister has outlined the plan as which offices would be shifted, the proper proposal will be ready somewhere in mid October,” highly placed sources confirmed.
Government intends to make Patto the administrative headquarters of the State administration. The State Museum at Patto would be soon placed under demolition and a new multi-storey complex will be constructed which will accommodate all the government offices. The tender for the same is expected in the first week of November.
The offices located in Junta House that includes transport, forest, civil supplies, women and child, panchayat and the entire block adjacent to CCP which houses the department of social welfare, urban health centre and BSNL’s commercial office are likely to be shifted to a new premise.
The North Goa Collectorate is planned to be moved to Porvorim or Merces.
“All government offices will be taken out of Panjim, including Junta house, education department, health department, food grain warehouse. In next two years, the city will be decongested of unwarranted load of government offices,” Chief Minister had told media persons in July while speaking out his plans to decongest the city, which is a need of the hour.
Around one lakh vehicles enter the city daily, with nearly 60 per cent belonging either to those working in government sector or visitors to these departments.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Dharmesh Angle said that nearly one lakh vehicles, that include two and four wheelers, enter the city daily. “Majority who enter the city are those working in government sector or are those who have come to visit the government offices for their work,” he explained.
Angle said that shifting of government offices will help in reducing the traffic decongestion.
Sources said that the basic planning like documentation, requirements and collection has already started for the proposed project. Government has already announced to shift the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG), which is currently housing at Maquinez Palace, will be shifted to Dona Paula, where a permanent convention centre will be built for conducting International Film Festival (IFFI) in 2019.
This will also help in reducing the traffic load from the city during those eight day event, which witnesses thousands of people across State entering the city to be part of extravaganza.
