Having mostly completed the concretisation of the roads from Tonca to the St Inez junction, the roads are opened up for traffic. Still a lot of work needs to be completed on either side of the road, but thankfully the traffic is able to use the road which otherwise would have been a nightmare for motorists, more so with this season’s relentless rains.
But the two junctions, St Inez signal point and the Caculo Mall junction have a vast central place. At Caculo junction, since other than the parade ground road, the other 3 roads are not having a central median it is observed that while moving from one street to the other, the motorists take the shortest possible cut instead of following the ‘Keep Left’ rule.
As it is Goan motorists are very low in discipline and there are chances of serious clashes at the two junctions. There has to be a central island at Caculo mall junction or at least a small temporary police circle/post in the centre so that motorists can observe the ‘Keep Left’ rule and traffic at the junction will be more disciplined and safer.
The finish of the roads itself leaves a lot to be desired. In many places, the concrete surface is frayed and breaking, the joints are so badly finished and one wonders how many years these road surfaces will last.
Unlike tar roads, patchwork cannot be done on concrete roads. With the attached pictures one can see the difference in the concrete finish in Goa with the smooth and aesthetic finish on a street in Melbourne, Australia. So much we have to learn as regards Smart Cities.