Candolim locals demand traffic plan ahead of Dec

Calangute: Villagers at the Candolim panchayat gram sabha urged panchayat members to take up the issue of traffic management ahead of the peak Christmas tourism season so as to avoid chaos.
They said that a number of traffic jams have been witnessed since the Diwali holiday season and added that things are likely to get worse in the coming days with a large number of tourists pouring into the Calangute-Candolim beach-belt and hardly any traffic police present. “When the governor had come on a visit recently, police were present all along the road from Sinquerim to Siolim, but none are there when there are thousands of tourists,” a local said.
Sarpanch Fermino Fernandes said the non-functional traffic signals will be made operational soon and traffic wardens will be deployed at all busy spots along with traffic police. Villagers also suggested that the panchayat seek the advice of traffic experts for better management of the heavy tourist traffic. They said that with the rush of unruly traffic, senior citizens especially are not even able to cross the road.
Residents also pointed out that despite repeated complaints about illegal massage services and touts on the beach, the illegal activities are still going on. Fernandes said the police are unable to operate the police outpost at Candolim beach in “full swing” because of a shortage in personnel
The panchayat was urged to act against late night noise pollution and tourists creating a nuisance during the night. It was suggested that signboards be put up urging tourists to keep quiet, especially near hospitals and old-age homes, as also boards warning that the area is under CCTV surveillance.