The sudden closure of the Dhauji railway crossing for overbridge construction triggered major traffic jams on key routes connecting Old Goa. Commuters faced long queues and delays as vehicles were diverted via the Banastarim and Cumbarjua-Corlim roads. The closure caught many motorists off guard, leading to confusion and congestion during peak travel hours across the region on Monday morning.
Traffic snarls were reported from early morning as vehicles were rerouted from the Dhauji crossing. The diversion led to heavy congestion along the Banastarim highway and the Cumbarjua-Corlim route, both of which are not designed to handle high traffic volumes. As a result, motorists found themselves stuck in long queues with no alternative route available, causing frustration and delays across the region.
The traffic chaos affected office-goers, school buses, and goods vehicles, with many forced to turn around or take long detours. Residents said the closure was poorly communicated, and no prior traffic advisory had been issued. Without signage or traffic regulation, vehicles continued to pile up on arterial roads, worsening the situation through the day. Emergency services also faced delays navigating through the blocked routes.
Commuters expressed frustration over the lack of coordination between authorities and the public, with many stating that better planning could have prevented the chaos. Without prior notice or proper diversion signage, motorists were left guessing alternate routes, leading to confusion and gridlocks. Residents also pointed out that traffic police presence was minimal, making it harder to manage the sudden surge in vehicles along narrow internal roads.
Responding to the worsening situation, an official assured that the Dhauji crossing would now be temporarily reopened during peak hours to ease congestion. As per the new arrangement, the crossing will allow traffic flow from 8 am to 10 am and again from 5 pm to 9 pm daily. Construction work on the overbridge will proceed between these windows and at night to avoid further daytime disruption.
The overbridge project is part of ongoing infrastructure upgrades but is now expected to face delays due to the new traffic arrangement. While efforts will be made to complete the structure by year-end, the temporary reopening of the crossing may stretch the timeline. Commuters have called for better planning and advance information to prevent such disruptions and ensure smoother travel during infrastructure works.
