Panaji: With the rise in taxi operators blocking parking spaces for the public in the state capital, the traffic cell of Goa police has decided to stop tourist taxi parking in the city except in designated parking spaces.
Goa Police's Decision on Tourist Taxi Parking
The traffic cell has written to the North Goa collector to issue a notification that all tourist taxis shall not park in public parking lots and that they be parked only in their notified parking lots. While picking up or dropping off customers, they shall halt for not more than three minutes.
In the letter, DySP (Traffic) North Goa, Sudesh Narvekar, stated that Panaji, being the state capital, experiences a heavy influx of vehicles throughout the day. He noted that in the absence of adequate off-street parking facilities, most vehicles are parked along the roadside, thereby reducing the carriageway.
Impact of Taxi Operators on Traffic
Considering the influx of vehicles, the existing on-street parking is inadequate. This situation is further aggravated by taxi operators as they occupy on-street parking throughout the day, depriving parking spaces to others who visit the city for a short duration. Traffic police reported that jams are witnessed on most busy roads of Panaji, with double parking adding to the chaos. With no proper signboards, vehicles often enter no-entry zones. The signboards were removed during the smart city work and have not been erected in most places.
Concerns Raised by Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Meanwhile, the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has raised concerns about deteriorating road safety, traffic congestion, and chaotic parking affecting residents and business operations in Panaji. GCCI's logistics committee chairman Chandrakant Gawas led a delegation to North Goa collector Ankit Yadav. The delegation reported that rent-a-cars and taxis parked indiscriminately across the city prevented parking access for citizens.
