PANAJI: The Bombay High Court at Goa has directed the State government to prepare a comprehensive traffic management plan for Panaji, focusing on congestion, illegal parking and pedestrian safety, particularly during evening peak hours.
A Division Bench of Justice Valmiki Menezes and Justice Amit Jamsandekar issued the direction while hearing a suo motu Public Interest Litigation concerning traffic problems in the capital. The government and Traffic Department have been asked to submit a detailed proposal by Monday.
The proposed plan will cover the stretch from the Old Secretariat to the ferry point and include designated pedestrian crossings, strategically placed barricades, no-parking zones and additional traffic personnel at congestion-prone locations. The court highlighted the period between 6 pm and 9 pm as a particularly busy time.
Casino-related traffic was a major issue during the hearing. The Bench flagged congestion around the Captain of Ports office, the jetty and Old Patto Road, where casinos, clubs and restaurants attract significant vehicle movement. Illegal parking along DB Road and outside the old High Court building on MG Road also came under scrutiny.
The judges expressed concern over pedestrians crossing roads at unmarked locations, including casino employees moving between establishments. They observed that the removal of barricades had contributed to uncontrolled crossings, underlining the need for safer pedestrian routes.
Advocate General Devidas Pangam told the court that casino operators had been instructed to park vehicles behind the Old Secretariat, but the directions were not being followed. He assured the Bench that passenger pick-up and drop-off activities near the CoP office and ferry point would be regulated, with the designated location shifted towards the old Accounts Department.
The court also called for suitable locations for zebra crossings to be identified, including near the former Bombay Steamer Jetty. Narrow lanes in St Tome and abandoned government vehicles parked near the Electricity Department were among the additional concerns raised.
The Bench stressed that isolated restrictions would not resolve Panaji’s traffic problems. Authorities must prepare a coordinated plan identifying the exact locations for barricades, pedestrian crossings and parking restrictions. The Collector will issue the necessary notifications to implement the measures.
The court also emphasised deploying additional police personnel at identified trouble spots during peak hours to manage traffic and protect pedestrians.
After the hearing, Pangam said the administration would hold a meeting with the Panaji traffic cell and other officials to discuss the proposed measures. He expressed confidence that better placement of barricades and zebra crossings could help ease congestion in the city.
