Navhind Times
Panaji, Jun 22: A new traffic circulation plan for the Panaji city has been worked out by the Goa traffic police.
Disclosing this to the mediapersons, the Superintendent of Police (traffic), Atmaram Deshpande stated that the new plan, to be put on trial from July 1, would ease congestion during peak hours and facilitate free movement for people residing in areas of Patto colony, Mala, behind General Post office etc.
The priorities stated in the plan would be considered during the trial period of 15 days and a decision would be taken based on the outcome, Deshpande stated.
He said as per this plan, the old Patto bridge would be no entry from eastern side (from Patto colony side) and all vehicles wanting to enter Panaji city from eastern side would have to proceed via the new Patto bridge from the lane near the old ice plant by turning left ahead of the clock tower. They may also use the entry for city from Divja Circle.
As per the plan, vehicles entering into the city from under the Mandovi bridge would take a left turn after covering the clock tower towards KTC or the EDC complex.
City buses proceeding to St Cruz from the KTC bus stand after taking a diversion near the clock tower will follow the new Patto bridge and take a left turn near the Panaji-end of the bridge, near the petrol pump, and pass through the lane along Corina Bar - old PWD offices to their destination via Rua de Ourem, he added.
He said, the road stretch spanning from Sapna Hotel/Patto colony to the eastern end of the Old Patto bridge will be ‘no entry’ zone.
Entry to EDC complex or Patto Plaza would be from the junction near the Rego Hotel. In view of this, space would be created for parking along the D Joao Castro road. Two-wheelers parking will be marked from St Tome junction to 31st Janeiro Road lane. Four-wheeler parking slots would be demarcated in front of the General Post office and from 31st Janeiro Road lane upto Panaji Residency.
Deshpande informed that the traffic movement on Jose Falcao road will be reversed so that the vehicles from Church Square area will be able to exit from behind the old secretariat through the old Patto bridge.
He said in the same fashion, the traffic movement on Cortin road will also be reversed. The residents of St Cruz, Four Pillar, Mala area desiring to enter the city can take left turn at Prema building/old income tax office and proceed towards Panaji church. However, the vehicles desiring to go to Mala will have to proceed from behind the old Secretariat on Joao Castro road and enter Mala through 31st Janeiro road lane, which is a one-way.
The vehicles entering Panaji city via the new Patto bridge have to take a left turn near Netravalkar petrol pump to exit Panaji via old Patto bridge or to proceed to Mala via 31 Janeiro road.
On reaching the road in front of old Secretariat, those desiring to exit will be allowed to take a left turn near Abade Faria statue and proceed trough the road behind old Secretariat and exit from the old Patto bridge.
Similarly, visitors to Sessions Court and Tourist Hostel desiring to go towards Miramar will be allowed to take a left turn near Rio bar.
He said, the new plan would be fully implemented only after taking into consideration the response and co-operation from the road-users. The new circulation plan offers ample space for parking. As per the plan, there are two exit points available for the vehicular traffic while only one entry point to the city.
He said, this plan would have impact on traffic flow over the new Mandovi bridge during peak hours and congestion in the city would decrease as it would open many outlets for the general public while exiting the city.
He said that the traffic would be reversed on Patto bridge and Jose Falcao road and added that the idea behind these plan was to push the flow of traffic to the edge of the city instead of the centre of the city.
He also informed that before implementation of this plan, proper signages would be installed besides deployment of traffic cops.
He said in the near future pay parking would be done on the 18th June road, Atmaram Borkar road, Mahatma Gandhi road.
The roadmaps are being displayed for scrutiny of public at the CCP office, traffic cell, Panaji and at the office of Collector (north). Suggestions are invited from the members of the public.