Panaji, November 15, 2024: The Exposition of the Sacred Relics of St. Francis Xavier at Old Goa will be kept open for veneration at St. Cathedral Church, Old Goa, from November 21, 2024, to January 5, 2025. The following traffic arrangements have been made:
For Diversions (Panaji to Old Goa via Ribandar):
Special buses will ferry passengers from Panaji to Old Goa via Ribandar. The special buses from Panaji to Old Goa will proceed via Ribandar, and on reaching Dempo Engineering at Old Goa, they will take a left turn to enter the Bhakia property for parking at the Bhakia Bus Stand.
Two-wheelers and four-wheelers, upon reaching Dempo Engineering at Old Goa, will take a left turn to enter the Bhakia property for parking. Vehicles with Sick/Disabled Car Passes (issued by the Church) will be diverted at Divja Circle to proceed via Kadamba Bypass — Old Neura Junction to park their vehicles in the open space opposite Sulabh Sauchalaya near Old Goa Panchayat.
Vehicles parked in the Bhakia property on their return journey to Panaji will take the same route via Ribandar. Vehicles parked in the open space opposite Sulabh Sauchalaya near Old Goa Panchayat will take the road towards Augustine Tower and merge with the traffic proceeding towards Ribandar at Navelkar Estate.
For Diversion (Panaji to Old Goa via Kadamba Bypass):
Panaji to Ponda route buses will not be allowed to proceed via Ribandar. Instead, they will be diverted at KTC Circle to proceed via Kadamba Bypass (NH-748).
Two-wheelers and four-wheelers, upon reaching Venkatesh Petrol Pump, will take a left turn towards Santa Monica Nunnery. Upon reaching St. Augustine Tower junction, they will take a further left turn and, upon reaching Habitat junction, will take a right turn. Upon reaching Dempo Engineering, they will take a left turn to enter the Bhakia property for parking.
Two-wheelers and four-wheelers will also be parked in the open space along NH-748 before the residence of Ex-MLA Pandurang Madkaikar. All heavy and medium vehicles will be diverted via Kadamba Bypass NH-748. On opening, closing, holidays, and feast day, heavy and medium goods vehicles wishing to proceed via Old Goa will be diverted at Merces Junction on NH-66 and at Banastarim Junction on NH-748 to proceed via New Zuari Bridge and Amona Bridge, respectively.
For South Goa Vehicles:
The road from Pilar to Old Goa will be made one-way for the movement of traffic. No vehicle from Old Goa will be allowed to return via Neura. All vehicles shall exit via NH-748.
Two-wheelers and four-wheelers from South Goa will be parked at Ela Farm and at Animal Husbandry premises. Buses coming from South Goa via Neura road will take a left turn at the Ella Farm main gate and proceed to the Bus Stand at Kunkolkar School Ground. They will exit on NH-748 for their onward journey.
For Ponda Side Vehicles:
Two-wheelers and four-wheelers coming from Ponda will take a left turn near Pinto Garage for parking at the ground behind Pinto Garage. Ponda to Old Goa buses will take a right turn near Hubbard Chicken Farm for parking. For the return journey, two-wheelers and four-wheelers will follow the same route to go towards Ponda.
Normal traffic from Ponda wanting to go to Panaji will not be allowed to proceed via Old Goa. They will be diverted to proceed via Old Goa Over Bridge — Kadamba Bypass (NH-748). Ponda to Panaji route buses will not be allowed to proceed via the Old Goa Church complex. Instead, they will be diverted at Neura Junction to proceed via Kadamba Bypass (NH-748).
Heavy vehicles coming from Ponda will be diverted at Banastarim Junction to proceed via Amona Bridge to join NH-66 at Karaswada. The stretch of road between Old Goa Police Station and Church junction via the residence of Ex-MLA Pandurang Madkaikar will be made one-way. No vehicle from Church junction will be allowed to take a right turn to reach Old Goa Police Station via the residence of Ex-MLA Pandurang Madkaikar.
For Gaundalim Side Vehicles:
Two-wheelers, four-wheelers, and mini-buses coming from Gaundalim will be parked at the Gaundalim Helipad. On their return journey, the vehicles will use the same route towards Gaundalim. No heavy or medium vehicles will be permitted on this road. Heavy vehicles will be diverted at Marcel to proceed towards Banastarim.
For Diwar Vehicles:
Vehicles coming from Diwar to Old Goa will proceed via Viceroy’s Arch and will be parked in the courtyard of St. Cajetan Church. Other vehicles coming from Diwar will proceed through Viceroy’s Arch and Arch of Conception to go towards Ponda and Panaji.
Vehicles from Ponda side wishing to proceed to Diwar will take a right U-turn at Neura Junction and proceed towards the Old Goa Petrol Pump. They will come onto Gaundalim road and take a left turn near Ramesh Naik’s house to Diwar jetty.
Vehicles coming from Gaundalim side wishing to proceed to Diwar will take a right turn near Ramesh Naik’s house to proceed to Diwar jetty.
Vehicles coming from Panaji via Ribandar to go to Diwar will take a left turn at Old Goa Church junction, proceed towards St. Catherine Chapel, and then take a left turn on the new by-lane to go to Diwar jetty.
The lane connecting Gaundalim road to Arch of Conception will be No Entry. The road from Old Goa Church junction towards Diwar Ferry via St. Catherine Chapel will be made one-way. No heavy or medium vehicles will be allowed to cross Diwar ferry. All such vehicles will use the Ribandar ferry to enter and exit Diwar.
Designated Parking Lots:
- For Panaji — Old Goa (via Ribandar): Two-wheelers and four-wheelers coming from Panaji via Ribandar will be parked at Bhakia Property. Two-wheelers will also be parked in the open space next to Bhakia Property.
- For Panaji — Old Goa (via Kadamba Bypass): Vehicles coming from Panaji via the new Kadamba Bypass (NH-4A) will take the road near Venkatesh Petrol Pump to proceed for parking at Bhakia Property, taking a left near St. Augustine Tower junction. These vehicles will also be parked in the open space opposite St. Xavier Academy and next to NH-748 before the residence of Ex-MLA Pandurang Madkaikar.
- For South Goa Vehicles: Two-wheelers and four-wheelers coming from South Goa will be parked at Ela Farm and Animal Husbandry premises.
- For Ponda Vehicles: Two-wheelers and four-wheelers coming from Ponda will be parked at the open ground near Pinto Garage. Two-wheelers will also be parked at two open plots belonging to Mr. Colaco and Mr. Sequeira opposite Ex-MLA Madkaikar’s residence.
- For Gaundalim Vehicles: Two-wheelers and four-wheelers coming from Gaundalim will be parked at the Gaundalim Helipad.
- For Diwar Vehicles: Two-wheelers and four-wheelers coming from Diwar Ferry will be parked in the courtyard of St. Cajetan Church.
Designated Bus Stands:
- For Panaji — Old Goa Buses via Ribandar Road: Bhakia Property
- For Panaji — Old Goa Buses via Kadamba Road: Along NH-748 behind the residence of Ex-MLA Pandurang Madkaikar
- For South Goa — Old Goa Buses: At Kunkolkar School Ground
- For Ponda — Old Goa Buses: Near Hubbard Farm
- For Gaundalim — Old Goa Buses: At Gaundalim Helipad
Road Closures:
- The stretch of road between Old Goa Church junction to Gandhi Circle will be closed for all types of vehicles except emergency vehicles like Police, Ambulance, and Fire Brigade.
- The ring round road connecting Old Goa Church junction to St. Catherine Chapel to Arch of Conception to Petrol Pump to Old Goa Police Station to the residence of Ex-MLA Pandurang Madkaikar to Old Goa Church junction will be one-way.
All are requested to kindly follow the traffic circulation plan and cooperate with the Traffic Police to ensure a smooth flow of traffic.
