MAPUSA: The absence of traffic signals at busy junctions as well as the non-functioning of the existing traffic signals continue to cause traffic congestion in Mapusa town. Main junctions including the court junction, Aldona motorcycle stand junction, Gandhi Circle and Joao Menezes junction, where heavy traffic movement is witnessed, are the worst hit, and witness long lines of bumper-to-bumper traffic during peak hours. The Aldona Motorcycle stand area remains congested throughout the day since it connects the Market road, the route to the Administrative building, road connecting to Highway at Tarir and other internal roads.
A similar situation prevails near Joao Menezes pharmacy and the Gandhi Circle area which is the main road for commuters from Panjim and Calangute trying to enter Mapusa town. As for the Court Junction, traffic snarls abound here all through the day as the existing signals have stopped functioning over the past several months.
Locals call on the authorities to install traffic signals at major junctions since even after deputing five to six traffic police personnel at these chaotic spots, they are unable to tackle the rush of vehicles, especially during peak hours when vehicles from different parts of North Goa enter the town.
In 2018, the Mapusa Municipal Council had decided to install signals at many of these junctions but none have materialized thus far.
To make matters worse, the lack of proper parking spaces in the town forces people to park their vehicles haphazardly on the road, adding to the confusion.
