Team Herald
PANJIM: The closure of the Old Mandovi Bridge for resurfacing has caused major traffic congestion, prompting traffic police to advise parents of students answering the XII board exam to leave early and, wherever possible, use the Atal Setu—except for two-wheelers.
On Saturday, motorists experienced long queues and gridlock at the junction where the old and new Mandovi bridges merge, with hundreds of vehicles stuck in a bottleneck. The situation led to delays for several students appearing for their board examinations, adding to their stress.
The Traffic Cell has urged all motorists—except two-wheelers—traveling from Porvorim towards Ponda, Bambolim, and South Goa, and vice versa, to use the Atal Setu to reduce congestion on the New Mandovi Bridge.
After two previous delays, one of which was due to the Goa Legislative Assembly session, the Public Works Department (PWD) finally implemented the temporary closure of the Old Mandovi Bridge from February 8 to 23. The maintenance work includes resurfacing the bridge with asphalt, installing safety measures, and painting under the NH-66 Annual Plan 2023-24.
Local activist Rajesh Dabolkar criticized the PWD for starting the work during board examination days, calling it poor planning. “It is shocking that the PWD has repeated the same mistake as last year by closing the bridge at such a crucial time. This lack of foresight is affecting students and daily commuters alike,” he said.