DHIRAJ HARMALKAR
dhiraj@herald-goa
VASCO: People residing in the vicinity of the Dabolim airport are facing a lot of problem due to the haphazard parking done by taxi and cab operators in the nearby localities of the airport.
Against this backdrop, locals have questioned and expressed surprise as to why the parking facility at the airport is still not operational.
Alka Damle, a social worker from Chicalim said, “We the citizens wish to know why the multilevel taxi parking, which was constructed at the airport a couple of years ago, has not been made operational. Why that place is fully lit up throughout the night and even if it is not operational, it is a white elephant and a waste of taxpayers’ money as far as its maintenance and electricity bills are concerned.”
She pointed out manner in which the taxis have been parking all over in the vicinity of the airport, in front of citizens’ residences and all open areas, has been a nuisance for residents and the flowing traffics that
“People who park their taxis, dirty the places by throwing all kinds of stuff like alcohol bottles, food packets, plastic carry bags and above all, are using these places as toilets. At times, it is a hindrance to the traffic as well as they even do double park, occupying half the road especially all along the Mangor-Verna highway" Damle added.
Another social activist from Vasco, Preetam Queloscar also slammed the taxi and cab operators for unauthorized and haphazard parking of their cabs, taxis outside surrounding areas of the airport.
He said that these taxi operators park their cars wherever they please and this creates obstruction for many people who live in housing colonies or in their houses as they have to face congested roads, blocked pathways and this also forces pedestrians to walk on the roads. “I feel the taxi operators should contact the airport authority, transport minister and should get the parking facility operational or any other spaces available for parking,” he added.
Later when contacted Dabolim International Airport Director, Gagan Malik, he said that they have the agency with them who is working towards making the parking facility operational. “Talks with the State government with regards to making multi-level parking are also happening, but currently the multi-level parking area is being used for testing, checking flight passengers who arrive in Goa,” he said.
He further added that there are places wherein these places could be made into pay parking for systematic parking of taxis but taxi operators should come forward in this regard which they don't as they don’t want to pay for parking.
Sudesh Narvekar, Vasco traffic police Inspector told Herald that since the last week, he has been conducting drives and that fines are being imposed on the taxi operators who do haphazard and unauthorized parking on the roads, thereby causing obstruction, problem to the locals.