Panaji: Road engineering in Goa is far from being the best with rapid growth of shopping malls along main roads and national highways hindering the flow of traffic. This has made several areas in the state accident-prone zones. As there is no sufficient parking at shopping complexes, people park their vehicles on the roadside which creates major traffic jams and result in accidents.
While there are signboards warning people not to park on the busy NH 17 in Porvorim, people pay no heed. The traffic cell of Goa police have run campaigns against traffic violators and drunken driving, issuing thousands of challans, but when it comes to monitoring ‘no parking' and double parking they are seen taking a lethargic approach.
During the weekend, as people throng to shopping malls, parked vehicles take up at least one km on both sides of the road.
Porvorim resident Nandan Prabhu said that lots of vehicles are being parked on both sides of the highway. He added that most two wheelers are vulnerable to accidents as the parked cars come join the main road without any indication.
He also said that inspite of shopping malls have designated parking areas people don't appear to be using them. The police should fine citizens for parking recklessly, so that they are forced to park in the complex parking and not on the main road, Prabhu said.
Deputy superintendent of police D G P Angle said that the people of Goa are of the mindset that parking should be free. He added that when people visit the new mall in Porvorim they don't want to park within the premises as they have to pay a fee and because of that they park on the roadside.
"We have deputed police personnel in front of the mall but when vehicles come out from the parking area to join the highway they cause a traffic problem," he said.
Angle also said that planners play a vital role in solving the problem of traffic congestion. He said that they should not plan malls in the vicinity of national highways and in city areas as it causes a parking issues.
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There is a high chance of meeting with an accident because of haphazard parking along the roadside. Police should crack down on such illegalities which cause inconvenience to the public
Parking of vehicles along the roadside at St Inez has become a nuisance for the residents. We waste so much time stuck in traffic. Vehicle should be clamped and if
the situation
does not improve the vehicle should be impounded
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