A day after Chorao villagers issued a three-day ultimatum demanding the reinstatement of traditional ferryboats, the Goa Legislative Assembly on Tuesday descended into chaos over the Ro-Ro ferry service introduced on the Chorao-Ribandar route.
Trouble began during Zero Hour when Sant Andre MLA Viresh Borkar raised concerns about the disruption caused by the replacement of traditional ferries with two Ro-Ro vessels. He said the move has not only increased delays but also burdened daily commuters with higher fares. Highlighting the jump in the cost for four-wheelers from Rs 10 to Rs 30, Borkar argued the fare hike unfairly affects local residents dependent on the route for routine travel.
He demanded an additional ferryboat service on the Chorao-Ribandar route due to an increase in commuters.
“The fare for four-wheelers on the Ro-Ro ferry has shot up to Rs 30, compared to just Rs 10 on traditional ferries. This steep hike places an unfair burden on daily commuters and local residents who depend on this route for their everyday travel,” said Borkar.
The MLA demanded rollback of fares for locals and more trips during peak hours. However, River Navigation Minister Subhash Phal Dessai said “Traffic has increased on the route since Ro Ro ferry boats were introduced (while defending Ro-Ro). There is a 30 per cent increase in four-wheelers and 40 per cent rise in two-wheelers. One-way fare of Rs 30 for four-wheelers is quite reasonable.”
He said that frequent users can opt for concessional monthly passes and revealed that daily revenue has shot up from Rs 6,000 to Rs 30,000 since the new service began.
The Minister expressed his displeasure over a video going viral wherein a commuter was seen attempting to break a seat and filthy toilet.
This caused ruckus in the House as nothing could be heard.
Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar requested the members not to trade charges against each other and to maintain decorum of the House.
Meanwhile, former Chodan-Madel sarpanch Shrikrishna Haldankar said that after Chorao villagers gave three days ultimatum to the government to restart the six traditional ferryboats in addition to two Ro Ro ferry boats, the government on Tuesday restarted two conventional ferryboats.
He said, “Traditional ferry boats are required to reduce the time of the commuters as each Ro Ro ferry was taking a minimum 25 minutes including five minutes travel time. But it was stopped because the Ro Ro contractor would lose his business as traditional ferryboats are charging Rs 10 for four-wheelers.”
“We are also demanding revision in fares and to retain them at Rs 10 per trip for four-wheelers only for islanders. The Chodan-Madel gram sabha had also resolved to retain the fare at Rs 10. Due to Ro Ro ferry boats, traffic has increased on the Chorao-Ribandar route,” he said.
Demanding that the fare be retained at Rs 10 for four-wheelers, Sanjay Mandrekar from Chorao said that the RND Minister should visit both the sides and see for himself the functioning of these ferryboats.
“I can say confidently that barring the Chorao-Ribandar route, the operation of Ro Ro ferryboats cannot be economically viable on other routes,” he added.
“The fare for four-wheelers on the Ro-Ro ferry has shot up to Rs 30, compared to just Rs 10 on traditional ferries. This steep hike places an unfair burden on daily commuters and local residents who depend on this route for their everyday travel,” said Borkar.
The MLA demanded rollback of fares for locals and more trips during peak hours. However, River Navigation Minister Subhash Phal Dessai said “Traffic has increased on the route since Ro Ro ferry boats were introduced (while defending Ro-Ro). There is a 30 per cent increase in four-wheelers and 40 per cent rise in two-wheelers. One-way fare of Rs 30 for four-wheelers is quite reasonable.”
He said that frequent users can opt for concessional monthly passes and revealed that daily revenue has shot up from Rs 6,000 to Rs 30,000 since the new service began.
The Minister expressed his displeasure over a video going viral wherein a commuter was seen attempting to break a seat and filthy toilet.
This caused ruckus in the House as nothing could be heard.
Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar requested the members not to trade charges against each other and to maintain decorum of the House.
Meanwhile, former Chodan-Madel sarpanch Shrikrishna Haldankar said that after Chorao villagers gave three days ultimatum to the government to restart the six traditional ferryboats in addition to two Ro Ro ferry boats, the government on Tuesday restarted two conventional ferryboats.
He said, “Traditional ferry boats are required to reduce the time of the commuters as each Ro Ro ferry was taking a minimum 25 minutes including five minutes travel time. But it was stopped because the Ro Ro contractor would lose his business as traditional ferryboats are charging Rs 10 for four-wheelers.”
“We are also demanding revision in fares and to retain them at Rs 10 per trip for four-wheelers only for islanders. The Chodan-Madel gram sabha had also resolved to retain the fare at Rs 10. Due to Ro Ro ferry boats, traffic has increased on the Chorao-Ribandar route,” he said.
Demanding that the fare be retained at Rs 10 for four-wheelers, Sanjay Mandrekar from Chorao said that the RND Minister should visit both the sides and see for himself the functioning of these ferryboats.
“I can say confidently that barring the Chorao-Ribandar route, the operation of Ro Ro ferryboats cannot be economically viable on other routes,” he added