Panaji: With the possibility of the Carnival parade shifting from the traditional route along the Mandovi riverfront in Panaji to the Miramar-Dona Paula road, Panaji MLA Atanasio Monserrate has written to chief minister Pramod Sawant to hold the parade on the traditional route or refrain from holding the parade altogether.
In the letter, Monserrate stated, “You must be aware of the Carnival parade which is part of the Carnival Festivities that will be held on February 13, at Panaji. The parade traditionally starts near Divja Circle under the old Mandovi Bridge and then takes the route via Dayanand Bandodkar Road and culminates near Kala Academy.”
Monserrate said the traditional route for the Carnival parade has been maintained for many years and is the most preferred when it comes to traffic management as it provides easy ingress and outgress for people who come to see the parade without disturbing the city’s traffic pattern.
The MLA said that the parade should continue on this route as opposed to any other route which was experimented with in the past as it caused traffic chaos, almost paralysed the city and led to fewer footfalls for the Carnival.
“The holding of the parade on the traditional route was very successful under your guidance last year and I hope the same route will be continued. If any other route is considered, then it would appropriate to refrain from holding the parade,” Monserrate stated in the letter.
After initially denying permission to hold the annual Carnival parade along its traditional route in the city last year, Panaji police and the traffic cell of gave their approval following a meeting with the North Goa collector, and Corporation of the City of Panaji.