Visits by senior officials need not always translate into speedy action, but the recent visit of IGP Sunil Garge has had one significant change in Valpoi town.
Barely a day after IGP Garge visited Valpoi, law enforcement authorities have been quick to streamline the traffic congestion due to haphazard parking around the Valpoi market area.
The problem of traffic congestion had been highlighted during the visit of IGP Garge at the Valpoi police station, as he had heard the grievances of residents and common complaints from almost all present at the meeting about traffic congestion in the market area.
He then assured the residents, Valpoi councillors, social activists and prominent citizens of Valpoi that the traffic problem would be solved soon with the efforts of Valpoi police and other authorities concerned.
Acting on his directives, Valpoi police got working quickly and made temporary arrangements for parking at various points near market area for the smooth flow of traffic.
A police team deployed in the market area has been carefully monitoring the situation. Such has been the determination to streamline traffic in the area that stationary vehicles, specially two wheelers, which obstruct the smooth flow of traffic are lifted from the area and the vehicle owner is fined by the police.
“The traffic congestion is temporarily brought under control. However, the work to identify a permanent area for parking of various types of vehicles has to be undertaken by the Valpoi Municipal Council,” said a source from the Valpoi police station.
When contacted, Valpoi Municipal Council (VMC) Chairman Ramdas Shirodkar said the VMC had written to the collector and the police superintendent (traffic) to streamline the traffic system.
“Accordingly, the Bicholim deputy collector conducted a meeting of chairpersons of Bicholim and Valpoi municipal councils along with police officers and RTO and discussed in length the traffic problem at Bicholim and Valpoi area. As part of this initiative, an inspection of the Valpoi market area will be conducted on September 25,” said Shirodkar.
“During the meeting, it was also proposed to set up a special Traffic Cell at Bicholim, which will monitor traffic at Bicholim and Valpoi. Traffic congestion is a major problem for motorists and pedestrians in Valpoi.”
“We had initiated a process to address this issue long ago. The VMC had received letters from citizens and voluntary organisations demanding a Traffic Cell at Valpoi and these letters have been forwarded to authorities concerned,” Shirodkar added.
Meanwhile, residents of Valpoi have welcomed the new temporary traffic management at Valpoi and are hopeful that this traffic arrangement will continue for the benefit of motorists and public.
“Traffic regulation in Valpoi was initiated immediately after the visit of IGP Sunil Garge,” said social activist Sadanand Kanekar, adding that efforts in the past had been scuttled by political interests.
“A few years ago, the Valpoi Citizens Forum (VCF) had prepared a traffic plan and had taken the initiative to improve traffic management in Valpoi town with the cooperation of Valpoi police, VMC and other authorities. The arrangement went well for almost one month, but unfortunately due to political interference, the traffic plan submitted by VCF was eventually withdrawn,” Kanekar added.
“Haphazard parking along both sides of the road continues to take place along the Massordem road, Thane road, Velus road and a few interior roads near the market area. We hope the IGP will honour his promise and visit Valpoi after a month to review the situation,” Kanekar said.
Another resident, Shivdas Khot, also hoped that authorities would find a solution to the traffic problems during the Weekly Bazaar Day on Tuesday. “It becomes very difficult to cross the market area even on two wheelers during the Bazaar Day,” Khot remarked.
