PONDA: Ponda is facing a major problem of shortage of parking space, which is causing traffic congestion in the town.
There is shortage of parking space especially at main market, State Bank of India, the stretch from Dada Vaidya Chowk to Upper Bazaar, near Almeida School, Varkhandem, Tisk Ponda, etc. The locals of the taluka have demanded a proper demarcation of parking space for vehicles of consumers, vendors and shop owners at these places.
Ponda is facing traffic congestion as people visiting the town park their vehicles along the roadside. The PMC to Goa State Cooperative Bank stretch too is occupied by vehicles. Umesh Naik, a resident said, “The Traffic Police often issue challans for roadside parking but fail to designate the parking spaces.”
The locals complained that most roadside parking space and the one available near the new market complex are occupied by vendors’ goods and vehicles. As a result of this the shoppers spend lots of time searching parking space before entering the market.
The locals claimed that some residential-cum-commercial buildings coming up in the market area have led to overcrowding in the market area.
The Ponda Market Vendors’ Association had submitted several memorandums to the PMC to clear encroachments on footpath by vendors which affect the movement of public especially pedestrians. Though PMC initiated action, the nuisance by roadside vendors continues as shoppers find difficulty in getting parking space in the market area.
Despite vendors demanding that no vendors should be allowed to encroach on the footpaths, the menace continues.
The open space near the Ponda Police Station is occupied by scrap and vehicles involved in accidents beside trucks attached by police for illegalities.
If these vehicles are shifted to another location then the above space can be used for parking, the locals suggested.
PMC chairperson Vishwanath Dalvi said, “The Council will direct traffic police and municipality officials to indentify open spaces for parking to decongest the town.”
