Panaji, Aug 18 (TOI): In view of the worsening traffic scenario along the Cortalim-Agasaim stretch, chief minister Manohar Parrikar, who is currently in the United States for treatment, on Friday directed the public works department (PWD) to construct a slipway from Cortalim junction for traffic proceeding towards Margao.
Two IRB platoons deployed to regulate traffic.
He also directed Goa police to deploy additional personnel to ease traffic flow which has witnessed severe bottlenecks during the last two weeks.
As per Parrikar’s instructions, chief secretary Dharmesh Sharma, director general of police (DGP) Muktesh Chander, principal secretary to the chief minister P Krishnamurthy, accompanied by traffic police and PWD officials, visited both sides of Agasaim and Cortalim junctions to take an overview of the traffic bottlenecks.
“PWD has been directed to create a slipway from Cortalim junction for vehicles moving towards Margao to ease traffic flow. Work is being taken up immediately,” the chief minister’s office (CMO) said.
The CMO said that filling up of potholes has been hampered due to incessant rains, and is being taken up on continuous basis with deployment of additional manpower.
“Traffic police have been directed to deploy additional manpower to ensure lane driving and regulate traffic movement. Two platoons of Indian reserve batallian (IRB) personnel have been deployed. Police have issued detailed instructions to field formations for continuous monitoring of the traffic scenario. Traffic has since been moving smoothly along the highway,” the CMO said in a statement.
Inspector general of police (IGP) Jaspal Singh said that of late, certain bottlenecks have been observed from Margao to Panaji and vice-versa, particularly around the Cortalim junction, Cortalim cross and Agasaim.
Singh said that on ground survey reveals that the factors that appear to be responsible for these bottlenecks include the ongoing construction work leading to restricted road space thereby limiting the discharge at junction/roundabouts, and deep potholes with accumulated water around these stretches thus slowing down vehicular speed, resulting in piling up of vehicles.
Singh said that remedial measures have been suggested for immediate compliance, which include deploying two IRB platoons to assist in traffic regulation until further orders. They will be briefed properly and deployed around these stretches, particularly at places where there is a possibility of drivers breaking lanes.
Singh said the north and south deputy superintendent of police (DySP), traffic and police inspectors (PIs)under their charge will ensure coordination, regulation of traffic and monitor traffic flow in real time at funnel points, and accordingly decide which discharge point is to be given priority so that build up of vehicles/queues is averted. PIs have also been directed to actively involve themselves in regulation and dynamically monitor the situation.
The IGP said that PIs of Verna and Agasaim police stations will monitor the traffic density on these stretches and render all assistance to traffic units in normalising flow. “Sub-divisional police officers (SDPOs) in Panaji and Vasco will also monitor this plan,” Singh said. “No static checkpoints should be set up on these stretches for enforcement purposes till further orders,” Singh said.
He also directed that that in case of contingencies such as breakdown of vehicles, road accidents, etc, the quickest possible response should be ensured in proper coordination among traffic, district police and police control room (PCR) units. The investigation officer (IO) responding to such contingencies should ensure that legal formalities are completed with utmost speed, he said.
“Real time coordination may be ensured with PWD authorities with respect to recurring potholes, and they should be informed about the road condition at once for remedial action,” the IGP said.