Panaji: The North Goa collector issued an order last week banning taxis from parking in the capital's general parking lots, but the order is yet to be implemented. Taxis are still occupying general parking spaces across the city. The Panaji traffic cell of the Goa police, which is the implementing agency, is functioning with less than 50% of its sanctioned strength.
Background of the Ban
TOI was the first to report about the ban on taxi parking in Panaji. Under the new directive, tourist taxis will only be allowed to park in their designated parking areas. The order aims to reduce congestion and streamline traffic in the state capital.
Staff Shortage Hinders Enforcement
The traffic cell is currently operating with a severe shortage of personnel. Only one police inspector (PI) and three police sub-inspectors (PSIs) are available to enforce the order. The total sanctioned strength of the Panaji traffic cell is 111 personnel, but only 50 are currently working. Similarly, of the nine sanctioned PSI positions, only three are filled. Compounding the problem, one PSI is set to retire at the end of this month, another in July, and one has been transferred.
According to state government directives, only officers of PSI rank and above can issue challans for traffic violations. This further limits the enforcement capacity.
Penalties for Violations
As per the rules, for a first violation of the collector's order, the traffic cell can issue a challan of Rs 500. Subsequent violations attract a fine of Rs 1,500. North Goa collector Ankit Yadav issued the notification on the recommendation of the Deputy Superintendent of Police (traffic), citing that Panaji, being the capital, experiences a heavy influx of vehicles throughout the day. In the absence of adequate off-street parking facilities, many vehicles are parked along the roadside, reducing the carriageway.
Rules for Tourist Taxis
The notification also specifies that while collecting or dropping customers, tourist taxis shall not halt for more than three minutes. Yadav authorized the erection of traffic signboards to caution and regulate motor vehicular traffic. The DySP (traffic cell) was directed to ensure proper signboards at the designated places and report compliance.
Traffic Police Clarifications
Traffic police explained that taxis cannot park and occupy parking spaces waiting for customers, as they often do outside hotels. However, if a taxi arrives from another location with customers who go out to shop, the taxi can park for a limited time.
Traffic police also noted that jams are common on most busy roads in Panaji, with double parking adding to the chaos. “With no proper signboards, most of the time vehicles enter no-entry zones. The signboards were also removed during the smart city work and have still not been erected in most places,” police said.
