--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CHAOS AT DONA PAULA CIRCLE
STEPHEN DIAS It is sad that we the residents and senior citizens of Dona Paula cannot have a good walk on the slope of Dona Paula towards Dominion Showroom to Caranzalem inner road as the footpath which was supposed to be available to us is being cancelled or denied by GSIDC authorities at the last moment. A simple kind of titling cemented passage at the level of the road with a narrow gutter for storm water drain is directed for construction instead of this footpath in view to allow an access for the people who are residing across the road for taking their vehicles to their shops or run their business inside. A number of openings are visible. A sample photograph is seen after breaking the existing compound wall at the slope by a Non Goan. ( photo No. 2776) . One of the area can be seen by a Non Goan having a Board to run a business for Pan Cards,. Passport and hiring vehicles etc .In fact the Government should have made arrangement for a approach road for them internally. What you see in one of the photograph is footpath altered to suit this business agency. I have sent whatshap messages to our local Panjim MLA Sidharth Kuncolienkar but I am yet to receive his reply in that respect instead he replies to an another issue about the LED street lights which I quote: " Request you not to criticise every act. Please also give positive input" In fact I have given him positive as well negative inputs. This is the fate of residents of Dona Paula. Earlier times we used to have a wider road and we could walk from Dona Paula to Caranzalem without much difficulty. Now, the road is gone a bit narrow. Other side of the road there is a footpath but electric poles are seen on the way. The worst problem is the divider having artificially fitted plastic decorated poles in the middle of all along the road from Dona Paula to Miramar and people feel that the situation is further aggravated for the traffic movement. These poles will not last longer, I feel. Better sense should prevail and hope that GSIDC along with the Traffic Police Dept., revises the whole system of traffic arrangement especially when another major National Institute Water Sports Authority ( NIWSA) comes into existence.at Aivao grounds very soon. Second problem is the Dona Paula circle recently converted into a greenery lawn which looks good at the moment but after some days the cows and dogs will start occupying this place and sitting on this lawn if no supervision is done. The local buses are been allotted a certain place to park but these drivers told me that they are not happy with the arrangement. Already the fitted stones are seen damaged by these buses as they find difficulty maneuvering while parking. The Government is yet to provide a permanent Bus Stand and the residents are complaining that they cannot drive their personal vehicles at ease in this circle area. Everyday we see tourists and other state buses parking on these roads thus making the traffic more congested. One of the reason is that the sloping road towards the circle widening project is been cancelled by the Government. Traffic police are unable to look after the traffic arrangement which is gone beyond their control... Stephen Dias Dona Paula Date: 9th January 2017. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
