Team Herald
PANJIM: A day after the state’s capital city Panjim and nearby suburban areas witnessed massive traffic jams, the state government on Thursday opened one lane of the Atal Setu bridge for vehicular traffic proceeding from Porvorim to Merces circle end to ease congestion.
The second lane leading from Panjim to Porvorim continues to remain closed for vehicular traffic as the resurfacing work is still being carried out by Larsen and Toubro, the company that built the bridge.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (Dy SP) Traffic Cell, Siddhant Shirodkar informed that the one lane of the bridge was opened after Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) gave a no objection certificate.
“GSIDC managing director Harish Adconkar has given NOC to use one lane of the bridge because of the traffic congestion. They have started the work on the second lane and have sought extension to complete the work. With the opening of one lane there is ease of flow of traffic,” Shirodkar said.
“Those driving to South Goa can come down at Merces, take the circle and move to South Goa while those coming to Panjim can also take a U-turn and move into the city,” he added.
Superintendent of Police (SP), traffic cell, Bossuet Silva also inspected the Porvorim to Panaji road stretch and took stock of the traffic situation.
“The traffic snarl was witnessed yesterday (Wednesday) due to complete closure of the AtalSetu bridge and due to the work of drainage cleaning undertaken at Kadamba bus terminus circle by the authorities,” Silva said.
