Traffic woes keep vehicles off Margao-Panaji road

PANAJI: Having stood in public transport for the entire duration of a three-hour journey from Margao to Panaji on Monday, a head clerk at a government office in the capital decided to call in sick on Tuesday. An engineer at the electricity department, apprehensive about getting stuck in traffic again, made the journey from Margao to Panaji via Ponda to avoid any snarls.They were two of the many people who altered their routines on Tuesday after their harrowing experience of being stuck in a traffic jam for hours on the Margao-Panaji route on Monday.
"My entire body was aching after the long journey, because I didn't get a place to sit. To make matters worse, there were no buses to return home after work as they were all caught up in the traffic jam. I took a bus to Ponda and then another one to reach Margao. I came home after 9pm," said the head clerk, adding, "If it was for a minister or for the assembly session, the police would have ensured smooth flow of traffic."
Advcoate Cleofato Coutinho didn't dare to venture to Panaji on Tuesday and chose to seek adjournments for his cases after having tried unsuccessfully to reach the capital from Margao on Monday. "It took me two and a half hours to reach Cortalim on Monday and I knew I wouldn't make it to court in time, so I returned home. The adjournments will further delay my cases, but I was left with no choice," he said. "Instead of focussing on issuing challans to those driving without helmets, police should concentrate on traffic management and make it a priority. I don't blame overtakers, because people tend to lose patience when there is no sign of the situation improving," he added.
Ethel Lobo ended up getting blisters on her feet after having to push the clutch on her vehicle constantly, while driving from South Goa to Panaji on Monday. "The government needs to be more sensitive towards citizens," she said, adding, "A forewarning should be issued in such cases, so that people are not inconvenienced."
Nelson Fernandes from Margao has vowed not to travel via Cortalim ever again. "Even if I have to go Goa Medical College I will travel via Ponda," he said.