Panaji (Goa):  Shiv Sena’s Goa unit has demanded immediate attention to solve the frequent traffic jams on the national highway. This is what Sena’s Goa spokesman Rakhi Prabhudessai Naik has said in a press note released here:

The traffic situation on Margao-Panaji route has been terrifying these days with the vehicles stranded for hours to reach to their destination. Shiv Sena demands that government should find out appropriate solution for this mess, which has become a major headache for travelers on daily basis.

       We would like to know whether State government while planning for third bridge on River Mandovi and the over bridges had not envisaged this problem? Were they ignorant to the fact that such huge construction in the traffic sensitive areas around Kadamba bus stand in Panaji and national highway connecting Margao-Panaji would result in traffic chaotic situation?

       Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar always boasts about his planning skills. What happened to his skills while planning these new bridges.

       Sena is not against the development and is fully aware that construction of bridges will result in smooth flow of traffic in future. But what about now?

       The situation on few of the road stretches is worst. There are jams even during the day, which is considered as a lean time for the traffic. It is largely due to lack of coordination between the contractor who constructs the bridge and the traffic police. There are times when sudden blocks are put on the road stopping the vehicle resulting in a marathon queue on the road.

       It is important to note that the traffic on Goa’s roads is going to increase during next few days as tourists will come down to participate in Christmas and New Year celebrations. The situation will go from bad to worst during that time. Such a traffic jam will also send wrong signal to the outsiders who will be coming to Goa.

       There are so many fliers who have been stuck at Zuari bridge and have missed their flights during these days.

       It is high time that traffic police should first chalk out proper plan. Some measures like diversion of traffic from internal roads could be taken up. Or the construction work needs to be stopped during December month.

       Sena demands that State government should stop being silent on this crucial issue and make statement to the public about what are the measures that it has taken to ease the traffic situation.