High Court has issued several directions to the state govt to decongest Dayanand Bandodkar Marg in Panaji to ease traffic congestion in the area, specially in the evenings due to casino related activities, Advocate General Devidas Pangam informed.The measures include barricading the stretch from Divja Circle to the Betim ferry point to prevent pedestrians from crossing at random locations, and installing around six to seven zebra crossings with pedestrian signals.Parking will be prohibited near the casinos, while the stretch from the petrol pump near Panaji Residency to Panaji Church is to be notified as a no-parking zone. Vehicles serving casinos and offices in the area will be required to drop off passengers at a designated location behind the old Secretariat.CCTV cameras are to be upgraded to capture vehicle number plates and help authorities act against illegal parking, unauthorised passenger drop-offs and other violations. The directions came in the 2023 suo motu petition concerning the Panaji traffic plan, which addresses congestion along DB Marg. The court will monitor implementation of its directions and assess the impact of the measures for a month.The matter will be heard after four weeks.
