Bus bays, traffic signals, CCTVs planned along Porvorim highway (Herald)

April 28, 2014

 From state-of-art bus bays, a motorcycle stand, CCTV surveillance system and additional traffic signals, authorities seem to be on full throttle to improve and safeguard traffic movement in Porvorim.

The need to develop better infrastructure along the highway in Porvorim was felt by Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte, in light of the rapid traffic growth on the plateau.

“The development of numerous housing complexes on both sides of the highway from Mandovi Bridge to Porvorim Bazaar has led to a surge in hotels, eating houses, liquor marts, cake and pastry shops, fitness centres, banks, hospitals, etc.,” said Khaunte.

“These various business establishments, in turn, have attracted tourists and other motorists to park theirvehicles in a haphazard manner, adding to congestion, traffic jams and road mishaps along the highway,” he added.

To add to the traffic congestion, buses are frequently seen making unspecified stops to pick and drop passengers.

“After much thought, I decided to put things in order and streamline traffic along the highway. I took the initiative to put up a proposal before the State government for the installation of bus bays at strategic locations,” Khaunte said.

Accepting Khaunte’s proposal, the National Highway division of Public Works Department (PWD) has decided to construct 12 bus bays right from Sangolda-Socorro junction to the Mandovi Bridge, at an estimated cost of Rs 93 lakh.

While work to widen the road for the proposed bus bays has commenced at Porvorim, Khaunte also has plans to have a separate motorcycle stand near O’Coqueiro circle.

When contacted, National Highways Executive Engineer Ulhas Kerkar told Herald that the first bus bay will be constructed near the District Institute of Education and Training (DIET).

“The road-widening work has already started and initially, one model bus bay will be constructed near the DIET. Once it is approved by the local MLA, work to construct the other bus bays will be taken up along the route. Two architects, Amit Parasher and Padma Kamat, are assisting the PWD in the construction of the bus bays,” Kerkar said.

The Traffic Signal at Coqueiro Circle, which became operational on February 25, the birthday of Khaunte, has already begun to pay rich dividends.

“The traffic signal installed at Porvorim is working well and motorists have begun observing traffic signals even in the absence of traffic police,” said Khaunte.

“What is required now is the installation of CCTV cameras at this traffic signal. Since traffic along the stretch of National Highway has increased immensely, there is a need to install additional traffic signals in Porvorim.”

Accordingly, Khaunte convened a meeting with the deputy collector, traffic police inspector and the National Highways executive engineer, requesting them to install CCTV cameras at the O’Coqueiro junction.

“I also asked them to install traffic signals and CCTV cameras near the Mandovi Bridge, Sai Service, Teen Building, DIET, Holy Family Church and Porvorim Bazaar.”

“If the government is unable to bear the cost for these CCTV sets and added traffic signals in Porvorim, then it should opt for a Private-Public Partnership model. However, the State government is yet to act on my suggestion,” regretted Khaunte.

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