Rohan Khaunte Seeks Urgent Fixes to Atal Setu Access, Traffic Issues in Porvorim

Panaji: Tourism Minister and Porvorim MLA Rohan A. Khaunte has urged Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant to intervene urgently and address traffic congestion, road safety concerns and access-related difficulties faced by residents following the development of the Atal Setu and the six-lane Porvorim Elevated Corridor.

In a letter to the Chief Minister, Khaunte has proposed a series of measures to improve connectivity for local residents, regulate traffic at critical junctions and ensure safer movement of vehicles. He has pointed out that while the infrastructure projects are aimed at easing congestion along the Panaji–Mapusa corridor, the traffic arrangements must also cater to the everyday commuting needs of Porvorim residents, local businesses and other road users.

The letter follows a high-level meeting held at Mantralaya on September 21, attended by the Chief Minister, PWD Minister Digambar Kamat, Deputy Speaker Joshua D’Souza and senior officials from the departments concerned. While acknowledging the directions issued during the meeting, Khaunte has highlighted several issues that, according to him, require immediate attention and effective follow-up.

One of the key demands is to provide convenient entry and exit points to the Atal Setu for residents of Porvorim. Khaunte has specifically sought an exit into Porvorim near the Majestic Hotel junction, stating that commuters should not be forced to take unnecessarily long or circuitous routes to access the bridge or travel towards Mapusa and other destinations.

He has also called for the installation of a functional traffic signal at the junction where vehicles descending from the Porvorim flyover merge with local traffic, while vehicles heading towards the Atal Setu enter the bridge. The junction requires better traffic regulation to ensure smoother vehicle movement and minimise the risk of accidents.

Another major concern raised in the letter is the bottleneck along the six-lane corridor near the Neo Majestic Hotel. Khaunte has urged the authorities to expedite the process of acquiring additional land belonging to the local comunidade to facilitate the widening of this stretch and improve traffic flow.

The MLA has further sought urgent repair and resurfacing of roads at junctions beneath the elevated corridor. He has proposed the installation of rumble strips at suitable intersections to help regulate vehicle speeds and improve safety for motorists and other road users.

Emphasising road safety and compliance with traffic rules, Khaunte has recommended the installation of prominent signboards warning two-wheeler riders against using the Atal Setu, in accordance with the existing restrictions. He has also proposed placing reflective illumination strips on structural barricades to improve their visibility at night. Additionally, he has called for AI-enabled surveillance and speed-detection cameras to strengthen traffic enforcement and identify violations.

To ensure that the revised traffic arrangements work effectively on the ground, Khaunte has suggested that the concerned departments conduct trial runs under the supervision of the Directorate of Transport and the Traffic Police before finalising the arrangements permanently. He has also recommended preparing and circulating simple video guides through social media to familiarise commuters with the revised road layouts, entry and exit points, and correct lane usage.

Khaunte has stressed that the success of the Atal Setu and the Porvorim Elevated Corridor should not be assessed solely on their ability to facilitate through-traffic, but also on how effectively they serve the local population. He has maintained that residents should not face unnecessary detours, unsafe junctions or avoidable traffic bottlenecks because of the new infrastructure.

Through his letter, the Tourism Minister has called upon the departments concerned to prioritise the proposed interventions, particularly improved access to the bridge, better traffic regulation, restoration of local roads and stronger safety measures. He has reiterated the need for a balanced traffic management system that ensures smoother movement along the Panaji–Mapusa corridor while protecting local connectivity, pedestrian safety and the daily commuting requirements of Porvorim residents and businesses.