Panaji: One exit of the Porvorim elevated corridor was reopened on Wednesday, a day after heavy congestion at Merces junction and Divja Circle, allowing vehicles from Atal Setu near Hotel Neo Majestic to exit onto the service road before entering the six-lane corridor.Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte said the next step would be to open an entry for vehicles coming from Mapusa, Aldona and surrounding areas to access the elevated corridor without adding to congestion on Porvorim’s service roads. An entry from Atal Setu for Porvorim residents will also be opened later.Traffic police said an entry to the flyover would also be provided for vehicles coming from Pilerne and Nerul.SP Prabodh Shirvoikar and other traffic police personnel monitored the newly opened exit. Unlike the narrow slip gap provided after the fatal accident that led to the closure of the six-lane exits, the reopened exit occupies an entire lane of the three-lane section.“Those coming from Margao or Bambolim and if they want to go to Calangute or other areas, we have opened the exit and we are personally monitoring it. I appeal to people they should keep left to take the exit after coming down from Atal Setu as it is a merging point,” Shirvoikar said.“Another entry will also be opened for those coming from Verem, Betim, Nerul and other areas who want to take the Porvorim flyover to go to Mapusa,” he said.Khaunte said access-related issues on the six-lane corridor would be addressed within seven days, as discussed at a meeting chaired by chief minister Pramod Sawant on Monday.“Today morning one exit has been opened. The next step is to allow those coming from Calangute, Aldona to come on the flyover. They are continuously doing improvement with the consultants. Traffic police are doing ground monitoring and we are taking reports from them,” Khaunte said.“Yesterday major congestion was seen at Merces junction. Today they have taken some steps. Unless they test and monitor it is too early to comment, but solutions will come for the people of Porvorim and others,” he said.Khaunte also rejected the emerging narrative that Porvorim residents would not be allowed to use the elevated corridor, saying the project was intended to reduce congestion and accidents on the roads below.“The flyover was to reduce congestion on the roads below, to reduce accidents. But some are trying to play politics with it. Locals used to suffer due to highway traffic. To resolve all these issues the flyover was constructed. But yes, our people should be able to use the Atal Setu and we are already implementing a solution,” he said.
