PANAJI: In order to resolve Panaji’s traffic congestion, transport minister Mauvin Godinho on Thursday said offices of the offshore casinos need to be moved away from the city centre and closer to the multi-level parking facility.
Godinho also expressed concern over the quality of public transport in Panaji and offered to provide city shuttle buses for the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP).
Godinho also said that more traffic signals can also address the traffic congestion in Panaji. “A very important step that needs to be taken to decongest the city. There is major congestion near the casinos because of parking of taxis and other vehicles. All the offices of the casinos should be compulsorily moved to one place, maybe the jetty. Those who want to go to the casinos will automatically land there and they must park at the multi-level parking facility, whether you come in a luxury car or in an another vehicle or buses,” said Godinho.
The transport minister said that he had already spoken to CCP mayor Uday Madkaikar, who assured him that the civic body is working on a plan to shift the casino offices. Godinho was speaking after inaugurating the traffic signals in Panaji. The signals have been donated by Mhadav Prasad Birla Group to CCP.
Godinho said that casino staff and customers should utilise the multi-story parking which will help reduce congestion in Panaji.
“I also appeal to the casinos to operate small shuttle buses so that people are picked up and dropped to the casinos. If the council asks for it, from the department, I will be forthcoming to give the shuttle buses so that congestion in Panaji is resolved. The haphazard parking has to stop,” he said.
Godinho said that the department plans to get additional electric buses. He also decried the slow pace of the city buses in Panaji and said that the issue needs to be tackled in order to improve public transport in the capital.