Panaji, Sept 23: RTI and social activist Sudip Narayan Tamhankar has urged Public Works Department Minister Digambar Kamat to undertake urgent engineering and traffic-safety modifications at the Porvorim end of the newly opened Guirim–Porvorim Elevated Corridor, particularly near Hotel Majestic, following concerns over accidents, traffic merging and congestion.

In a representation dated September 23, Tamhankar, who is also General Secretary of the All Goa Private Bus Owners Association, said that the 5.15-km six-lane corridor was intended to ease chronic traffic congestion but that the traffic arrangement at its Porvorim termination point requires immediate attention.

The representation comes against the backdrop of the fatal accident near Neo Majestic shortly after the corridor opened to regular traffic, in which two people died. Authorities subsequently altered traffic movements, restricted two-wheelers and closed certain entry and exit points. Speed cameras were also installed.

Tamhankar has claimed that the present geometry at the Majestic junction creates difficulties where faster traffic descending from the elevated corridor interacts with slower traffic on the service roads. He has asked the government to examine the issue from an engineering perspective rather than depend only on traffic restrictions.

Five major interventions proposed

Tamhankar has proposed construction of a traffic island or roundabout in front of Hotel Majestic, arguing that it could act as a physical speed-control mechanism while helping channel vehicles towards Panaji/Atal Setu and local Porvorim service lanes.

He has also sought levelling of the service road with NH-66, claiming that the difference in levels between the main carriageway and adjoining service road poses a risk to motorists.

Another significant proposal is to modify the existing merge angle from around 30 degrees to 90 degrees. According to the representation, the existing acute-angle arrangement permits sweeping entry and may encourage vehicles to merge at higher speeds, while a more perpendicular approach would require motorists to slow down, observe approaching traffic and merge deliberately.

Tamhankar has further proposed extending the merge/weaving zone to at least half a kilometre, saying a longer transition area could provide vehicles with more space for gradual acceleration and deceleration and reduce abrupt criss-cross movements.

He has also demanded the reinstallation of traffic signals at important junctions, including O’Coqueiro, Teachers Training College and Holy Family School, besides permanent warning signage and speed-monitoring cameras near the descending portion of the corridor.

The demand for clearer traffic management comes as authorities continue modifying movements around the corridor. On September 23, Atal Setu access from the Merces side towards Porvorim and Calangute was reopened for eligible vehicles, while reports also noted that clear signage and lane markings at some revised exits remained an issue.

Safety enforcement has meanwhile intensified. Police recorded 375 overspeeding cases on the Porvorim flyover in nine days, with the speed limit fixed at 65 kmph.

Tamhankar said infrastructure should serve commuters without putting their safety at risk and urged the PWD and executing agencies to consider ground-level feedback from people who regularly use the stretch. He referred to technical reviews being undertaken by expert teams and asked the government to examine his proposed modifications and implement appropriate corrective measures at the earliest.

The representation has also been submitted to the Assistant Director of Transport (North), Registering Authority and Member Secretary of RTA (North), Mapusa.