SANTOSH NAIK
PONDA
Travelling in and around Ponda has become a challenging exercise in recent times, given the growing traffic congestion in the area.
The haphazard collection of passengers by private buses has been blamed for much of this traffic congestion, even though the government has taking some steps to streamline traffic in Ponda town.
About two decades ago, a new KTC bus stand was built away from Ponda city and about around 500 metres away at Farmagudi, to tackle the traffic chaos in Ponda town. Then a few years later, three bypass roads were built to divert heavy traffic away from Ponda town.
Despite these initiatives, traffic congestion has continued to confront authorities in Ponda town.
Locals have frequently complained that buses have been making many unauthorised bus stops to pick up as many passengers as possible, after leaving the old bus stand.
“In Ponda taluka, there are several traffic policemen at different places to check vehicles documents and other offences, but nobody bothers to keep policemen near the Ponda bus stand, to tackle the problem of unauthorized bus halts,” complained a resident.
“Indiscipline among bus operators has also encouraged indiscipline among passengers, who are more than happy to board or alight from buses at any place. They don’t realize that by boarding or alighting from buses on the road, they are contributing to the congestion of vehicles queuing up behind the bus,” the resident added.
Locals have broadly identified two solutions to tackle the problem. The first, they say, is to fine undisciplined bus operators so that they would be forced to stop only at authorized bus stops. The second option is to create additional bus stops for the convenience of commuters and bus operators.
A resident, Viraj Sapre, admitted that the old bus stand is more popular among passengers, as it is conveniently located in Ponda town.
“But this does not mean that bus operators can ply vehicles on the centre of the road, especially during peak hours, thereby blocking other vehicles. In the absence of zebra crossings at busy junctions, passengers end up crossing along any part of the road, thereby adding to the traffic chaos,” said Sapre.
“The PMC and transport authorities should create some additional bus stops to deter bus operators from making unauthorized bus stops. In fact, this issue was discussed at a recent police-public meeting, but no solution was offered by authorities,” Sapre added.
When asked to comment on the traffic chaos in Ponda town, Ponda Traffic Cell PI Nilesh Diagodkar said that three traffic policemen have been deputed to prevent unauthorized bus stops.
“The traffic police will not allow buses to make unauthorized halts to collect and drop passengers,” he said.
Asked if the traffic police had suggested any additional bus stops in the city, he replied in the negative. “However, I will look into the matter,” said PI Diagodkar.
Ponda Councillor Venktesh Naik admitted that buses make several unauthorized stops, causing inconvenience to other motorists.
“The Ponda Municipal Council had made some arrangements at Dada Vaidya Chowk, such as bus bays, specifically to collect passengers. But instead of using these bus bays, these buses stop on the road and block the smooth flow of traffic. The traffic department should enforce the rules strictly to ensure traffic discipline in the town,” said Naik.
