PRATIK PARAB
pratik@herald-goa.com
With the Close Circuit Cameras (CCTV) system of Margao gone off air, all the traffic rules seem to have been forgotten in the Commercial capital of Goa.
There are several two-wheelers and also 4-wheelers entering wrong streets and no-entry roads. There is no control on wrong parking as well as heavy traffic coming into the town.
The Traffic Cell of Margao has been proposing pay parking spots within Margao for several years and the MMC has failed to do the same.
Recently citizens of Margao met the Chief Officer and the Deputy Superintendent of Police and apprised them of the situation. The citizens explained the gross traffic indiscipline reigning in Margao, under the complacent eyes of the enforcement authorities and the hardships caused to the common law abiding man.
Meanwhile the Traffic Cell of Margao has informed that they have been suggesting for pay parking spots around Margao for several years. The Margao Municipal Council (MMC) has, however, not responded to any of the proposals. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Prabodh Shirvoikar, while speaking on this issue, said, “The proposals for pay parking have been sent regularly to the MMC from 2009 and again a detailed one in 2016. Pay parking was suggested so that there is control over long duration parking and also justice to the visitors of the town,” said Shirvoikar.
Meanwhile the Police Inspector of Traffic Cell said that they have sent a proposal to the MMC to get the parking zones and areas marked with strips and boards again as the earlier markings have worn off. “We have sent a proposal in 2016 and hope to get a reply before the monsoons,” said PI Traffic Mohan Gaude.
The Citizens of Margao along with Shadow Council have said that “While we appreciate the work that the Traffic Police does at important junctions and near the schools, we would like to request some tough remedial measures to be taken to ensure discipline on the roads and smooth flow of traffic”.
The Shadow Council President, Savio Coutinho, and the 100s of angered people from Margao have suggested that the Traffic DySP as well as the MMC have regular patrolling by two or more policemen on bikes. This, they said, is essential not only to ease traffic congestions that are common, but also to instill fear in motorists of the sudden appearance of law enforcers. This would be more effective than placing policemen at known spots for checking documentation.
Secondly while Police regularly fine people without crash helmets or pollution certificates, people say that they seem least concerned about bikes zooming in the city, reckless driving, sudden and unscheduled stoppage of buses, parking in sharp turns, obstructing the view of other vehicles, failure to use indicators, use of high beams, etc which are the real cause of accidents. If the Police are really serious in curbing accidents and not only in earning revenue for the Government, these violations need to be stopped forthwith with a firm hand, said one of the citizens.
Traffic sign boards, which are generally put up by the Police, must have interactional signs, specifications and height and leave no scope for misinterpretation, as is the case with many No Parking signs. Further many No Entry areas, particularly around the Municipal Garden, Holy Spirit Church, etc, do not have any sign boards, leaving tourists and others unfamiliar with the area, confused.
There is Notification for No Entry of heavy vehicles in the city at certain times during the day. Boards notifying this must be large and visible. Long distance buses and some trucks, including water and petrol tankers, are seen moving in the city, though there are no exceptions made said another citizen.
There exists a notified speed breaker along with Zebra crossing at Colmorod, along the Margao-Navelim 4-lane road, in front of L&L Oddessey Complex. While the speed breakers have been provided, the Zebra Crossing has not been marked ever since it was notified over three years back. This spot is prone to accidents and practically an accident takes place every day at this spot, citizens have requested to mark the Zebra crossing. Further all the other speed breakers in the city require proper painting so as to make them visible to the motorists.
There is a bus bay, near State Bank of India, for South Goa buses proceeding northwards and to Kadamba bus stand. Hence no buses should be allowed to stop beyond that point, particularly near the petrol pumps, as is often observed even when Traffic Police is present, locals suggest.
The Shadow Council said that they expect of the Traffic Cell and MMC to take appropriate measures in all of the above matters, and if required coordinate with appropriate authorities to address the issues at the earliest.
