Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Sep 22: The Goa government has decided to reopen the entry and exit points of the Porvorim elevated corridor with restrictions, while continuing to prohibit two-wheelers from using the six-lane flyover.

The decision was taken at a high-level meeting on Monday amid concerns over traffic movement and safety at the corridor's junctions with the Atal Setu and local roads.

Public Works Minister Digambar Kamat said the entry and exit arrangements would be restored within about a week. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said the traffic system would be streamlined within eight days after the necessary safety measures are put in place.

The meeting was attended by Sawant, Kamat, Tourism Minister and Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte, Mapusa MLA Joshua D'Souza, PWD and Traffic Police officials and other experts.

Under the revised arrangement, vehicles travelling from the Atal Setu will be allowed to exit near Hotel Majestic and proceed along the road below towards Porvorim, Calangute and other destinations.

At the same point, vehicles coming from the Mandovi bridges will be permitted to enter the elevated corridor and proceed towards Mapusa and other parts of North Goa.

Four-wheelers coming from the Porvorim service road will also be allowed to enter the elevated corridor and proceed towards the Atal Setu.

However, vehicles travelling from Mapusa and other parts of North Goa on the elevated corridor will not be allowed to exit towards the Mandovi bridges and proceed to Panaji. Such vehicles will have to continue straight towards the Atal Setu.

Two-wheelers will continue to be barred from using the elevated corridor even after the restricted entry and exit points are reopened.

Kamat said the government would not restore all the previously available movements but would provide specific access points to streamline traffic and improve safety.

The move follows concerns over traffic arrangements after the opening of the elevated corridor. One of the major complaints has been from motorists travelling from the Atal Setu towards Porvorim, who currently have to take a longer route through Guirim because the access points remain closed.

The government is expected to implement the revised traffic arrangement after completing the required safety measures and identifying the specific entry and exit points.