Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Commuters travelling on the busy ODP road will face major traffic restrictions for two months as the North Goa District Magistrate, Ankit Yadav, IAS, has ordered the closure of key stretches from January 2 to March 2, 2026, to facilitate Phase-I infrastructure works.
Invoking powers under Sections 115, 116 and 117 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and acting on the recommendation of the Superintendent of Police (Traffic), North Goa, the District Magistrate directed the closure of the road stretch from P16 near the ODP road to P20 near Damin de Goa, as well as the stretch from P61 near Kadamba Restaurant to P55 near the O’Coqueiro junction.
While the closures will restrict normal movement, the order mandates that one lane of the existing carriageway be kept open to allow vehicles travelling from Mapusa towards Panaji. Heavy vehicles transporting essential commodities, however, will not be permitted to use the ODP road from the Mapusa side owing to the steep ascent along the route.
To minimise inconvenience and ensure commuter safety, the administration has laid down a comprehensive set of conditions. All diversion routes must be kept fully motorable, adequately illuminated and cleared of wild vegetation. The height of overhead electrical wires is also to be maintained to avoid safety hazards. Transportation of bridge segments has been prohibited during daytime to prevent traffic disruptions.
The order places special emphasis on emergency preparedness, directing that a dedicated lane on either side of the affected stretches be reserved for ambulances, fire brigades and other emergency services. These lanes may also be utilised to ease traffic congestion if required.
Acknowledging manpower constraints with the Traffic Police, the District Magistrate has instructed the contractor to deploy a minimum of two traffic marshals at each diversion point during restriction hours. The marshals must be stationed at strategic locations in coordination with the Traffic Police and equipped with uniforms, reflective jackets and flashing batons.
The contractor has also been directed to provide cranes, under the supervision of the PI, Traffic Cell, Porvorim, to promptly remove breakdown vehicles and maintain smooth traffic flow. No road closure or diversion is to be implemented without prior intimation to the Traffic Cell, Porvorim, and the Porvorim Police Station.
Further, the contractor must appoint a site supervisor and share contact details with the Traffic Police. The Public Works Department has been tasked with giving wide publicity to the closures and diversion plans through print and electronic media to alert motorists, including operators of heavy and luxury passenger vehicles.
The order clarifies that permission for Phase-II road closures or diversions will be considered only after the completion of Phase-I works.
