NT Reporter | Panaji
The opening ceremony of the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) will be held on November 20, with the festival continuing till November 28. In view of rehearsals and the float parade, the Goa Traffic Police has announced a series of road closures and diversions.
On November 18, during the IFFI parade rehearsal, the stretch of DBB Marg from the Old Secretariat to Kala Academy will be closed to vehicular traffic between 3 pm and 5 pm.
On November 20, Goa State floats will assemble at Merces junction on the Panaji-Old Goa service road, while promotional and state floats will assemble near Divja Circle. From 1 pm, all floats will line up at the Old GMC via DBB Marg.
Floats stationed at the Merces junction will move via KTC Panaji for the line-up and will culminate near Kala Academy before being parked at the DBB Marg football ground until further instructions.
From November 20 to 28, Inox Lane (General Bernard Guedes Road) will remain closed to all vehicular movement.
Incoming traffic to Panaji on November 18 and 20 will follow the normal route via the new Patto bridge and will be diverted inside the city at the Dayanand Bandodkar statue.
Vehicles from Bambolim may enter via the new Mala bridge. Once the parade begins, city buses will not be allowed in either direction. Traffic from Ribandar will be diverted at the causeway towards Merces underpass and then to Panaji via NH-748.
Outgoing traffic during the rehearsal and parade will be diverted from Campal towards St Inez and 18th June Road before proceeding via Old Patto bridge or Mala bridge. Vehicles from Rua-de-Ourem will not be permitted to turn left near Hotel Sona and will be diverted towards Kaju Darbar.
Heavy and commercial vehicles will be barred from entering the city from 7 am to 9 pm, while tourist buses from Dona Paula will not be allowed beyond Miramar Circle after 1 pm. Traffic towards Ribandar will be diverted from Divja Circle via KTC Circle and Merces bypass.
Parking for vehicles with passes will be available at PVR Inox Multiplex, Kala Academy pick-up and drop points, and Market Lane. Vehicles without passes from North Goa may park at EDC Plaza, MLCP and near KTC bus stand, while those from South Goa will be diverted at GMC, Bambolim and parked at the Campal football ground.
No-parking zones on November 18 and 20 include Jose Falcao Road, Joao Castro Road, Match Corner to Casa International, Caculo Island to St Inez junction road, Church Square to Cortin footbridge and Down the Road pub to Match Corner.
