Against the hype created on the implementation of its ambitious city pay parking project on May 2, the delay in signing the work order and contractor having being left with limited hours in hand, the Corporation of the City of Panjim (CCP) organized a soft launch of the project, late on Monday evening. However, the concept is not well welcomed by commuters, who claim that despite bringing in ‘discipline’, the pay parking will lead to a more chaotic situation in the capital.
On May 26th, in a special press conference, City Mayor Surendra Furtado announced the launch of pay parking in the city from May 2nd, stating that Margao based Straight Deal Services would be issued a work order in two days. The announcement was reiterated on May 28th during the CCP Budget meeting, wherein the opposition councilors proposed to implement in phase manner, the proposal that was ruled out.
But everything just sounded to be mere publicity announcements on May 2nd. A round in all 18 notified places for pay parking in the city gave a clear picture that only signboards were erected, with no one to impose the pay parking fees. The frustrated Mayor, over questions by the media on the delay, finally decided to have a soft launch in the evening.
“We are organizing a soft launch on Monday. In the next three or four days, the project will be implemented fully. The work order was issued in the evening. We will have to give some time to the contractor to implement it. He needs nearly 100 people to man the areas,” Furtado told Herald.
The 18 places for pay parking include 18th June road, Church square, Dr R S road, T B Cunha road, Menezes Braganza road, Dr Govind Vaidhya road, Bhosle Square, Swami Vivekanand road, A B road and other small lanes.
As per the rates, the two wheelers would be charged Rs 8 for four to 12 hours of parking and Rs 15 for parking above 12 hours but less than 24 hours.
For four-wheelers, Rs 15 would be charged for parking between four hours to 12 hours while above 12 hours but less than 24 hours Rs 20 would be charged.
The residents from Panjim, living in old buildings will be given one pass each for cars and two-wheelers provided he is a regular house tax payer. No exception has been given to shopkeepers or commercial establishments. However, the passes are yet to be introduced.
The delay is nothing new for the CCP, as since 2014, when the pay parking was notified, there have been four tenders for the implementation of the project. The then ruling and current opposition Councilors, backed by BJP, always created a hurdle in the launch of the project citing several unwarranted reasons.
Moreover, it would be interesting to see, whether the pay parking concept is accepted by people at large, as daily commuters have expressed resentment.
“I am a government employee and I travel in the city every day. I park my two-wheeler from 9.45am to 1.30pm and then at 2.30 pm till office closes. So every day, I will have to pay around Rs 8 with a total of 160 per month. This is not discipline but looting of the public,” an employee, working with a social welfare department, said.
A shopkeeper Ajit Melani also expressed a similar grievance. “I sit in the shop. So I come by car and park just next to my shop, which is now a pay parking area. My shop is open from 10.00am to 8.30 pm, including afternoon hours. So I will be charged Rs 15 per day. We have to take up the matter with the CCP as commercial establishments needs to be excluded,” he said.
