Smart City projects struggle traffic crawl

30 May 2024 CW Team

Residents of Panaji found themselves caught in a frustrating traffic jam due to last-minute roadworks aimed at meeting the Smart City deadline of May 31, causing congestion across the city. The closure of important routes, such as Mala-Bhatlem and the stretch from St Inez Church to Casa Macau, hindered commuters' movement. Additionally, obstacles like piles of mud and exposed manholes along key arteries like Rua de Ourem, near the Customs House, and outside Panaji police headquarters worsened the situation.

With interior roads inaccessible due to ongoing construction, motorists had to use the main DB Road, increasing traffic density and leading to significant delays in commute times. "I usually take the road from Santa Cruz to St Inez via Bhatlem every day, but I wasn't aware of the road closure on Tuesday," said a working professional from Panaji. "So, I had to turn back and use DB Road, where I got stuck in slow-moving traffic for 25 minutes."

The traffic jams also affected pickup trucks and goods vehicles, whose drivers typically choose interior routes to avoid congestion on main roads. "My client's business establishment is in St Inez, and I had plans to deliver goods on Tuesday," said a supplier. "We rescheduled the delivery for Wednesday due to road closures."

One student shared her experience of navigating through the traffic to reach her tuition class. "Most of my classmates live near the class, and I ride my bicycle for 3km to get there," she said. "It took me 45 minutes to reach my destination."

As Panaji deals with the consequences of the last-minute roadworks, commuters should prepare for potential disruptions in the days leading up to the Smart City deadline.

Infrastructure Transport

09 Jan 2026

India Becomes First to Produce Bio-Bitumen for Roads

India has become the first country in the world to commercially produce bio-bitumen for use in road construction, according to Road, Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari. Bitumen, a black and viscous hydrocarbon derived from crude oil, is a key binding material in road building, and the bio-based alternative is expected to significantly improve the sector’s environmental footprint.Addressing the CSIR Technology Transfer Ceremony in New Delhi, Mr Gadkari congratulated Council of Scientific and Industrial Research on achieving the milestone, noting that the initiative would help curb ..

HILT Policy Seen Boosting Telangana Revenue Sharply

The Hyderabad Industrial Land Transformation (HILT) Policy is expected to generate around Rs 1.08 billion in revenue for the Telangana state exchequer, according to Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu. Speaking in the Telangana Legislative Assembly, he said the policy would be implemented within a six-month timeframe in a transparent manner, with uniform rules applicable to all stakeholders. Mr Vikramarka noted that without the HILT Policy, the state would have earned only about Rs 1.2 million per acre. Under the new framework, however, revenue is projected to rise sharply to Rs 70 ..

India Post, MoRD Tie Up to Boost Rural Inclusion

The Department of Posts and the Ministry of Rural Development have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to accelerate rural transformation and expand financial, digital and logistics services for Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and rural households across India. The agreement was signed in the presence of Union Minister of Communications and Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya M. Scindia and Union Minister of Rural Development and Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The collaboration aligns with the government’s “Dak Sewa, Jan Sewa” vision and seeks to repositi..