In preparation for the commencement of smart city works in Ribandar , Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited ( IPSCDL) has outlined comprehensive plans for vehicular movement and ferry services for local residents.
A day after IPSCDL announced road closure schedules for Ribandar, it held a meeting today led by Sanjit Rodrigues (IAS), MD & CEO of IPSCDL along with Rohit Monserrate, Mayor of Panaji, who deliberated on finalising a comprehensive plan to regulate vehicular movement to mitigate travel disruptions and ensure safety during the upcoming road closures and execution of Smart City works .
The meeting was also attended by Edurado Pereira ,CGM-IPSCDL , Sanjeev Naik ( Dy. Manager CCP), Thomas Braganza (ME III CCP), Sandra Da Cunha ( Councillor Ward No.30) , Silvestre Fernandes ( Councillor Ward No.29), Roque Luis ( KTC Ltd) , Eknath Naik (PSI Traffic Cell Panaji), Abhay Bharne (Dy HS , Captain of Ports) ,V. Manimaran (AECOM/AD ) , Gopal krishna (Bansal Infra) and Vikram Bhosle (RND).
Transportation measures discussed today included providing bus services wherein KTCL will provide bus transport services from Divja circle to Ajuda church junction and back to alleviate travel disruptions. Wherever required KTCL will provide additional services during peak hours. Details of school bus arrangements will be worked out in consultation with CCP councillors of Ribandar.
As far as ferry services are concerned consultations with the Captain of Port & River Navigation Department have led to the decision to keep the Chorao ferry operational during the road closure period, while the Diwar – Sao Pedro ferry will be diverted to Old Goa from 10th March, 2024 to 30th April , 2024. The Sao Pedro ferry services will however be suspended from 10th March until further notice.
To facilitate private motor vehicular movement of residents of Ribandar and to minimise inconveniences during the road closure period, vehicle passes will be distributed through CCP councillors of Ribandar. Provisions for emergency vehicles like ambulances will be available round the clock .
Contractors overseeing the project works have been instructed to prioritize safety precautions, including robust barricading, clear signage and sufficient lighting at all work sites. These measures aim to minimize risks and ensure a safe environment for workers, commuters and smooth traffic flow.
The road closure from Basilica of Bom Jesus (Old Goa) junction along the causeway up to Divja circle (Panaji) will come into effect from March 10th to April 30th, 2024. Traffic will be diverted towards NH 748 (Kadamba Bypass Road), with specific closures and diversion arrangements in place for different phases of the project.
Today’s meeting deliberations emphasised the importance of collaboration among stakeholders and support of residents, reaffirming the commitment to realising the Smart City vision for Ribandar, stated a press release.
