PONDA: Traffic congestion has become a regular feature along the narrow National Highway passing through Borim village, which has further inconvenienced the villagers, who have been demanding a permanent solution to decongest the village.
Given the highway’s narrow width, there is no scope for expansion, which has compelled the motorists to proceed at slow speed. Even a minor accident results in long serpentine queues which makes it difficult for villagers to cross the other side of the road to reach their homes.
The traffic from Belgaum and Karwar ply on the Borim bridge located in the village which connects North and South Goa.
The heavy vehicles laden with industrial goods, raw material, oil tankers and fuel tankers from neighbouring States pass through the village, which makes the Borim village road one of the busiest roads.
The villagers complained that the Borim bridge has weakened due to heavy traffic diversion for the past year. They feel that to decongest the village, a new bridge and bypass road are needed. They have been demanding that the authorities concerned find a solution at the earliest.
With regards to traffic congestion, WRD Minister Subhash Shirodkar said at present he is trying to streamline the traffic which will take at least six months. For this, he said the traffic plying on the internal road at Top Cola will be diverted by constructing a one-way road which will connect the Bethora bypass. Similarly, the road behind Navdurga Temple would be made one-way. All this will take at least six months and will help reduce the traffic movement on the main road.
Shirodkar said he will request the Central Government to construct the new Borim bridge within two years.
