-- Samir Umarye
SAMIR UMARYE BICHOLIM Close on the heels of neighbouring Valpoi taking steps to streamline its traffic woes, Bicholim has finally woken up to its growing traffic chaos and local authorities have chalked out a proper traffic plan for the town. Bicholim has been facing traffic problems since the last several years and locals have openly spoken out against the main issues plaguing smooth traffic movement, including a lack of adequate parking spaces and no proper signboards. “It’s pathetic to see that Bicholim Municipal Council (BMC) is still unable to come up with signboards at strategic locations and maintain them. Cars are being parked on both sides of the road and during the weekly Bazaar day, it becomes impossible to enter the market,” complained Dhanashree Desai from Bordem. “If every individual had to follow traffic rules, there would have been no traffic or parking problems in any city. A Traffic Cell is need of the hour and CCTV cameras should be installed so that perpetrators can be penalised. If all this is followed, we will have no traffic congestion in the city,” added Desai. During the Bazaar day, most vehicles are parked in a haphazard manner and a police constable along with home guard stationed in the market find it virtually impossible to manage the area. “People should not be allowed to take their vehicles inside the market, while the open space at the old fish market could well be used for parking,” said Mahesh Govekar. “The traffic police from Mapusa are helpless, as there are no signboards that demarcates a particular area as parking or no parking zone. Hence, police can’t penalise the traffic violators.” The demand for a Traffic Cell at Bicholim has been pending for over two years and this has been one of the factors cited for a failure to regulate traffic in Bicholim town. “The BMC should have planned the new market complex in such a way that ample space was reserved for parking. A new building is not given approval till such time the builder shows proper parking space and this should also be applicable to public buildings as well,” opined Govekar. Speaking to Herald, BMC Deputy Chairperson Riyaz Beig said they have conducted several meetings with Deputy Collector Biju Naik. “After an inspection, we have framed a traffic plan for the city. The problem exists in the market as the roads are very narrow. We have suggested one-way traffic so that there is no traffic congestion while entering or leaving the market. We have also suggested some specific parking places and local buses will not be allowed to enter the market area,” informed Beig. “The entire stretch from the Bicholim court to the new bus stand will be reserved for parking of two-wheelers, which is presently allocated to four-wheelers. This will surely clear traffic on this road,” said Beig. “The new traffic arrangements will be made applicable on a trial basis for a month and the plan will be strictly followed with the help of the police. The plan will be submitted within the next 2-3 days and with the deputy collector’s order, it will be strictly implemented in the city,” added Beig.