Mobility

When investigating the issues faced in the area, mobility emerged as a primary concern. Over the past decades of population growth. Panaji has wrestled with many mobility issues ranging from failed pedestrianization, underutilized parking, heavy traffic, and overburdened public transit. While decision-makers are separated by sector, a hierarchy of government, and jurisdiction, there has been little opportunity for comprehensive mobility planning. Taking the helm, Imagine Panaji released its strategic report title Comprehensive Mobility Plan for Goa (2019). Containing many great topics such as complete streets and transit-oriented development, the report attempts to set the tone for the transit development conversation statewide.

Current Conditions

Serving as an access port between North and South Goa, the CBD consists of one main waterfront artery, Dayanand Bandodkar Marg. The subsequent streets of the CBD are an orthogonal grid layout and characterized by bustling commercial activity. The road network of the CBD is made up of numerous small one-way streets where parking is allowed on both sides of the street.

30

ROUTES 30

FERRIES

4455

AUTO RICKSHAWS

20623

HIRED TAXIS

27886

MOTORCYCLES ON HIRE

PUBLIC TRANSPORT CONSTITUTE ONLY

1%

Fig. C.11: Count of Non-Personal Vehicles in Goa (Comprehensive Mobility Plan for Goa 2019) Fig. C.12: One-way (red) and Two-way (blue) streets (Parking Master Plan For Panaji, Goa 2019)

Private Vehicles

Mirroring the dramatic population and physical growth of the CBD, vehicle ownership has also risen over the years. The average vehicle ownership per household in Goa is 3 for a household size of 4.2. The annual vehicle growth rate in Goa state is almost 10 times that of the population growth rate (2001-2011), and hence the number of vehicles may soon surpass the number of people living in the state. (Master Plan for High Capacity Transit System for Goa, 2019)

Fig. C.13: Number of Private Vehicles Registered in Goa (Comprehensive Mobility Plan for Goa 2019)

Throughout the CBD, there is evidence of issues with parking. At many intersections and entrances to establishments, metal rails demarcate zones for pedestrians to pass that restrict 2-wheelers from parking in the way and blocking access. In areas where these don’t exist, passageways are left obstructed by densely parked vehicles, leaving pedestrians no choice but to navigate the narrow passage between. Jardim Garcia D’Orta often had its entrances blocked by vehicles parked and double-parked along the congested one-way streets that surrounded it.

Our research pointed particularly to one issue concerning parking regarding the recent attempt to enforce paid parking and time-restricted zones. Various interviews informed us that within the past few years, the attempts to enforce such parking restrictions barely lasted a year. These efforts were met with many complaints and push back from the community. At present, paid parking signs remain scattered throughout the city, but enforcement has since ceased.

Fig. C.14: Identified Parking Hotspots (Parking Master Plan For Panaji, Goa 2019)

While heavy tourism plays a role in parking issues as tourists take up space for their own vehicles or require on-demand car services, residents point to the casinos specifically as the major source of parking issues. Higherend casinos use on-street parking spaces as valet spots. This has further exasperated parking issues for residents and in some cases, forced them to adapt the ground floor of their residence, breaking through the facade to provide on-site parking for their family.

In addition to parking, we must look at the traffic flow. Many intersections, given the lack of traffic lights, require traffic police who are only sporadically present to control the flow of traffic. This creates congestion at significant intersections and nodes, along with excessive noise from horns beeping to navigate the conflicting flows of travel.

Fig. C.15: Identified Parking Hotspots (Parking Master Plan For Panaji, Goa 2019)

Pedestrian

During the Observe walk, nearly every child made a comment about the hazardous walking conditions pointing to no sidewalks, inadequate sidewalks, and dangerous intersections. When asked if a blind or wheelchair-bound individual could navigate the streets, 100% of children responded no. Throughout the CBD pedestrian crossings have been implemented across busy roads and important intersections. However, these crossings are seldom honored by cars, leaving pedestrians to navigate heavy flows of traffic with added stress and apprehension.

“It Is Indeed a great pIty that the school chIldren have to cross thIs hazardous street every day to get to the munIcIpal garden for some open space.’’ -school admInIstrator

As the city turns from green to gray and large buildings block cool breezes, people are walking on increasingly hot and dusty streets. Combined with the smell of garbage piles on street corners, the streets are not a pleasant environment for walking to and from work, taking an evening stroll, or eating lunch. 95