Patto is one of the most developed areas housing some of the key government offices, a full fledged bus stand, a guarded government colony and a park featuring a jogging track and children’s play zone amongst other attractions. But with this, Patto – a prime location in Panjim city – has numerous problems – the ever growing traffic menace and the garbage stink bomb.
The capital city, unarguably handles immense traffic pressure on a daily basis with traffic bottlenecks and congestion a common factor. “Thousands of vehicles enter the city everyday. Many government departments, autonomous bodies/allied offices, and other institutions are situated here. The vehicles cross Patto to enter the city, resulting in chaotic situations especially during the peak hours,” Veronica D’Sa, a Patto resident said.
Patto, being close to KTC bus stand also witnesses many buses plying to and fro even as a number of inter-state buses are also parked at the EDC complex. Traffic near the Kranti circle is another eye-sore. While it is convenient for several Patto residents to just walk to the bus stand, what also bothers them besides the haphazard traffic is the garbage strewn all over.
“The bus stand is always filthy. We understand that thousands of passengers travel by local buses but neatness and hygienic conditions should be maintained. Not only this, the parking zone for inter-state buses faces a similar situation,” Anu Naik, proprietor of a store at the bus stand commented.
It was earlier the main bus stand and the old Bombay bus stand where most of the inter-state buses were parked but the location later shifted to the EDC complex. Several tourists alighting here leave behind trash, which is usually not cleaned resulting in a foul odour emanating from the area.
The EDC complex, the only systematic pay parking zone which is very close to the government Patto colony, also houses some important State and Central government offices, courts, private firms, the Central library, the oldest museum, etc. While this has reduced chaotic parking around Patto jurisdiction, heaps of garbage and the stink continues to trouble citizens.
The entire city waste is dumped at the Patto site where the Corporation of the City of Panjim (CCP) has its treatment facility, which is not fully functional. As a result of this, the stink has spread far and wide with residents of the area repeatedly demanding a solution to the rapidly growing crisis.
Nevertheless, the rest of Patto is by and large well-maintained. There is another good side to Patto where a number of facilities are just around the corner. Eateries, restaurants, hotels, the bus stand, gardens, the jogging track, the pay parking system, important government offices, road connectivity, etc are some of the highlights.
