MLA Carlos Alvares Ferreira Reviews Traffic Diversion Plan Ahead of VUP Work at Peddem Junction

Aldona: Aldona MLA Adv. Carlos Alvares Ferreira on Wednesday held a meeting with the Assistant Engineer of the Public Works Department (National Highways) along with Mapusa Police Inspector (Traffic Cell) Marlon DeSouza to review and finalise the modalities of traffic diversions that will be implemented once work on the Vehicular Underpass (VUP) at Peddem Junction commences.

The meeting assumes significance in the backdrop of the long-standing traffic and safety concerns at Peddem Junction, which serves as a vital access point for residents of Peddem, Camarcazan and Acoi, areas that are an integral part of Mapusa town but are separated by the National Highway. Over the years, the junction has witnessed several close calls and traffic bottlenecks, particularly during peak hours, affecting access to schools, colleges, hospitals, the Mapusa market and the Peddem stadium.

Speaking on the occasion, Adv. Carlos Alvares Ferreira said that while accidents were reported before and after the junction, there were no major accidents at the junction itself, making the proposal to close the junction unviable.
“Closing the junction was neither practical nor recommended. I had even urged the Chief Minister not to proceed with such a move, as it would have severely inconvenienced residents of Peddem, Camarcazan and Acoi,” he said.

He recalled that following representations by locals, a meeting was held with the Chief Minister at short notice, after which the need for a permanent solution was recommended to the Centre.
“On my insistence, the Chief Minister recommended to the Centre the need for a bypass or grade-separated solution. Subsequently, during his visit to Goa, we met Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, who later made a provision in the Central Budget for a flyover at the junction,” Adv. Ferreira stated.

As an interim measure, traffic signals were installed at the junction on a trial basis.
“I was instrumental in moving the proposal to install traffic lights, which have been functioning as a stop-gap arrangement to regulate traffic until a permanent solution could be implemented,” he added.

Adv. Ferreira pointed out that alternative suggestions such as diverting traffic via Bastora beneath an underpass were opposed as they would have resulted in massive congestion at Milagres Church and the Altinho slope, affecting students, patients and market-goers.
“Expecting people to take long detours was not feasible. It would have only shifted the traffic problem to other parts of Mapusa,” he said.

Providing details of the project, the MLA informed that the Centre has floated a tender worth approximately ₹33 crore for the construction of a Vehicular Underpass at Peddem Junction, with the work stipulated to be completed within 540 days from the date of issuance of the work order. He described the development as a major boost towards fulfilling a demand that had remained pending for over a decade.

During the meeting, officials also discussed alternate routes and traffic diversion plans to be implemented during the construction phase. These include broadening of existing service lanes and creating additional provisions to ensure smooth flow of traffic and minimise inconvenience to the public.

Appealing for cooperation, Adv. Ferreira said,
“This meeting was convened to ensure that traffic diversions are planned well in advance. I request the public to cooperate with the authorities during the construction period in the larger interest of long-term traffic management and safety.”

The MLA also expressed gratitude to the residents of Peddem, Camarcazan and Acoi for their unity and perseverance, and thanked Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, PCE Parsekar, then EE (NH) Jude Carvalho (Now SE), then AE (NH) Dinesh Tare, Eng. Dattaprasad Kamat and the entire PWD team for their role in pushing the project forward.