PORVORIM: State Government has decided to form a dedicated special traffic cell to monitor and manage the massive jam likely to take place at Panjim-Porvorim and Cortalim-Vasco junction on the eve of Christmas and New Year celebrations due to the ongoing construction works of third bridge over River Mandovi in North and Zuari bridge connecting North with South.
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar told State Legislative Assembly that government is in process of purchasing 46 new four-wheelers for patrolling, which will join the police force fleet on December 19, of which few would be used as mobile vans to manage traffic.
“Some problems are inevitable. If you want a new bridge, then one will have to suffer some pain as the outcome of it is going to be very sweet,” Parrikar, who also holds Home portfolio, said replying during a Zero Hour mention by Leader of Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar.
Parrikar said that government will be forming a dedicated special traffic cell for management of traffic at both the points of the new bridge constructions to ensure smooth flow of vehicles. “The cell will be in place from December 23. One team will be in North at Panjim-Porvorim point and another at Agassaim, Cortalim. At the same time there will be mobile vans which will also keep watch,” he said.
Chief Minister said that the contractors are also asked to open up additional space for vehicular movement. “People will also have to maintain the discipline. There is always double, triple lane of vehicles, which worsen the situation. This also needs to be avoided by those driving vehicles,” he said.
Earlier Leader of Opposition, while moving the motion pointed out how traffic jam has caught everybody off guard, resulting into passengers missing their flights, ambulances getting stuck in traffic, etc. He said that the situation will be out of control during eve of Christmas and New Year, with thousands of tourists entering the State for celebration.
