NT Reporter
Panaji
As authorities evaluate various safety measures for the six-lane elevated corridor in Porvorim, two-wheelers are likely to be banned from using the flyover, which connects to the Atal Setu where two-wheelers are already prohibited.
On Saturday, an expert team from IIM-Nagpur conducted an assessment of the six-lane corridor alongside the Public Works Department’s (PWD) Principal Chief Engineer and other senior officials.
Sources told The Navhind Times that after analysing short-term solutions, the team is expected to submit a report to the government on Sunday to guide corrective action, with long-term recommendations to follow. The expert team favours a permanent ban on two-wheelers to avoid further confusion on the elevated route, sources told this daily.
Following a fatal accident a week ago that claimed two lives – occurring just a day after the flyover was opened to traffic – the state government temporarily barred two-wheelers from using the corridor and closed the entry and exit points near Hotel Neo Majestic. The accident involved a two-wheeler, a car and a truck. A second accident occurred at the same entry/exit location the following day, though no major injuries were reported.
Several other potential modifications on the flyover are currently under review, including redesigning lanes, roundabouts and traffic signals. The PWD has also submitted its own list of suggestions to the expert team.
“The team inspected the flyover and will shortly submit its recommendations. We have shown them the project. They are doing the assessment,” confirmed PWD Chief Engineer (National Highways) Dattaprasad Kamat.
Beyond the Porvorim corridor, which was prioritised, the team has also been tasked with analysing traffic condition at the Merces Circle and near the Panaji KTC bus stand in the coming days.
While members of the public have raised concerns regarding the road engineering on the Porvorim flyover, a senior PWD official dismissed these criticisms, stating that the flyover was specifically designed for highway transit rather than the local traffic. The official added that existing service roads are fully capable of accommodating the local commuters.
