The traffic nightmare faced by Panaji and the surrounding areas over the weekend was unprecedented but not surprising given that we cannot cope with normal traffic congestion and chaos. That the public had to face huge unnecessary hardship on account of the Ironman sporting event held is unpardonable and a self-made tragedy.
No other city in the country would ever allow such man-made traffic mayhem. It only happens in Goa where the authorities senselessly allow anything and everything for reasons known to all. The welfare and wellbeing of the citizens is never ever borne in mind.
Panaji is already an extremely congested city which has made things awful with the roads across the city currently being haphazardly dug. And to add to the misery was this Ironman event which threw the city out of gear and into peril.
Stringent and deterrent action needs to be taken against those responsible for allowing such a mega event despite the pathetic infrastructure and current despicable state of affairs in the city. Functions, shows, and events of no benefit to innocent people struggling to go about their normal business should not be allowed to disrupt normal life. The traffic and municipal authorities should conduct a free, fair and independent assessment of the ground reality before clearing such disastrous events being promoted by the ruling politicians for obvious personal gains.
Those in Power for selfish reasons should not be allowed to stretch things to a breaking point. This is exactly what was helplessly witnessed in and around Panaji. Unless and until the severely lacking basic infrastructure and viable traffic management system is in place the State should not host or entertain any such needles events.
