Panaji: Ahead of the opening of the six-lane elevated corridor at Porvorim, the Goa police traffic cell has asked the PWD to install traffic signals at six junctions on the Mapusa-Panaji stretch, improve signage, and implement a series of safety measures to prevent accidents and ensure smooth traffic flow.In its recommendations, the traffic cell said the traffic signals that existed on NH-66 before construction of the elevated corridor should be reinstalled at the Socorro-Sangolda junction, Holy Family School junction, Holy Family Church junction, O’Coqueiro junction, Teachers Training College junction and Tin Building junction.The elevated corridor, expected to open in the coming months, will carry traffic between Mapusa and Panaji, easing congestion on the existing road through Porvorim.However, the traffic cell warned that traffic merging near Hotel Majestic, where vehicles from the elevated corridor and the existing road converge before Atal Setu, could lead to crisscross vehicular movement and increase the risk of accidents.To address this, it recommended installing channelisers to facilitate orderly weaving of vehicles and placing adequate directional signboards to guide motorists.As two-wheelers are prohibited from using Atal Setu, the traffic cell said riders travelling from Mapusa towards Panaji via the elevated corridor should be diverted to the old or new Mandovi bridge. It recommended installing advance directional signboards at multiple locations well before the diversion point to minimise confusion.The traffic cell also flagged another potential conflict point near the Tico Diesel Pump, where vehicles travelling on the existing service road from Porvorim towards Mapusa will merge with traffic descending from the elevated corridor. Since vehicles exiting the corridor are expected to approach the merge point at higher speeds, it recommended channelisation, road markings and warning signs to ensure safe merging.It further called for geometric realignment of the staggered junctions at Teachers Training College and Jeevottam Mutt in consultation with the concerned authorities, taking into account nearby commercial establishments, educational institutions and other key installations.The traffic cell also directed that construction material and debris along the roadside be cleared and damaged road surfaces repaired and hot-mixed before the corridor is opened to traffic.
