Tourism Dream ad Goan nightmare

Nightmare in the north: Coastal belt, national highway get choked

TNN | Dec 31, 2015, 03.46 AM IST

Panaji: Entry and exit points to Panaji experienced on-and-off traffic congestion throughout Wednesday, and traffic could move at its usual pace only after 9pm.

Most commuters either moving out of the city, and going towards North Goa, or trying to enter the city, or moving towards South Goa, were caught in the traffic jam which aggravated after 3pm, and for many, it took hours and more either to exit Panaji or enter the capital city.

While traffic flow was expected to swell with today being the last day for two electronic dance music (EDM) - Sunburn in Vagator and Supersonic in Candolim - what halted traffic, at times completely, and slowed the pace, were minor accidents on the beach as well the Porvorim highway. This was more after EDM organizers had announced that gates will be closed by 6.30pm, today being the last day.

Most roads leading to the EDM venues, Sunburn in Vagator and Supersonic in Candolim, had thick traffic and commuters had to endure sitting in traffic jams for over an hour. Though many out set out early, they could not escape the traffic jam. Francis D'Souza, deputy chief minister, who was also struck in the traffic at Porvorim for close to 40 minutes, said that it was high time that the steps have to be taken to reduce four-wheelers on the roads.

Also, he said, whenever there is a traffic jam, there is a tendency among people to fight amongst themselves rather than call the police, and delay the movement of traffic further.

DySP (traffic, North Goa) D G P Angle commenting on the situation, said this year the flow of tourists has been high. "With work on the third Mandovi bridge under way, the road width has been shortened, and a little extra traffic flow leads to traffic jams. There had been some minor accidents which has also affected traffic flow," he pointed out.

A EDM visitor, who took short-cuts to reach Vagator over the last two-three days , said he was caught in traffic on Wednesday. "I saw many vehicles taking the route I took over the last two days," he said, exasperated after reaching the venue.

Assagao-Anjuna road, which is another road that leads to Vagator, was full of four-wheelers teeming with tourists. A Goan, who has been a regular at Sunburn over the last few years, felt that more tourists have arrived in Goa in their own vehicles this year. "I think, the number will increase every season," he said.

He said when the Sunburn concluded at 10 pm, he could see only see people everywhere. "It was like a sea of people," he added. Looking at the hardship audience has to go through, he said they have to shift EDM venue elsewhere that has easy connectivity, and better parking facility. It has to a little closer to the venue, and people don't have to walk kilo meter or two before they enter the venue.

Even the new service lane built in Porvorim parallel to the highway was used by motorists to move towards Panaji, but, the space was'nt enough. The Mapusa-Panaji highway and the service lane saw four 'lanes' of traffic on each road, as motorists jostled for space with one other. The traffic jam was compounded further with the presence of trucks and wide-bodied buses on the highway. Two-wheeler motorists didn't even find space on either the national highway or the service lane, and had to find carriageway off the road. "I rode my bike over mud and rocks for over two kilometres to reach Panaji," said a two-wheeler rider requesting anonymity.

Stuck in the traffic jam were two ambulances, with the family members of the patients watching haplessly. Also stuck in the traffic was a bridal couple in Anjuna, who were making their way to the reception venue at Arpora. "Everybody was stranded. The bridal couple, the bridal entourage, their families, the photographers, the videographers and the guests as well. The reception only started at 9pm," a guest told TOI on Wednesday night.

The traffic police did a commendable job at the Sai Service junction at Porvorim and the entry point of the Mandovi bridges. Though it was a hard day at work, the cops were seen going about their duty with a smile on their faces.