Traffic snarls surface as cops prepare for summit

PANAJI: Commuters from Margao to Panaji experienced a traffic jam that stretched to almost 10km on Thursday as authorities commenced rehearsals for the BRICS summit to be hosted in South Goa over the weekend.
Traffic was either halted or moved at a snail’s pace from Nuvem to Agasaim, with police officials being stationed every 30m. Commuters along the Margao-Cavelossim road also faced hurdles.
Although authorities had announced diversions and traffic arrangements to be followed from Friday onwards, traffic jams on Thursday itself took commuters by surprise.
“The police was conducting cavalcade rehearsals in view of the BRICS event. The state will be hosting leaders from 11 countries who will be accompanied by a council of diplomats. The cavalcades will be quite big, so we have made some alternative arrangements for normal traffic,” deputy superintendent of police, traffic, North Goa, Dharmesh Angle, said.
As the state is almost set to kick off the summit, some residents along the Colva-Cavelossim route complained of the inconveniences they will face due to vehicular restrictions.