It is now a stereotypical image clicked by residents or
frustrated visitors to the capital
city. Automobiles parked randomly on the main road in front of the casinos
parked on the River Mandovi. The cars parked on the road defy common sense
thanks to their bizarre angles as well as their ability to block incoming
traffic.
This has been the scenario in the city for
a number of years. Plans have been announced to have systems in place to curb
such behavior but to no avail. A multi-level parking was constructed and it was
hoped that visitors would park their bikes and cars in it before moving into
the city using the transport facilities available in the city.
A senior executive at the CCP said the
multi-level parking was the built and operated by of GTDC and it was up to them
to ensure it functioned to the satisfaction of the residents of Panjim.
MULTI LEVEL PARKING
HAS MULTIPLE ISSUES
The executive, who is a veteran of sorts when it comes to Panjim
but requested not to be identified, admitted that multiple measures needed to
be sorted out. He said it was important for the bus transit system to be sorted
out. He said “You cannot expect someone to travel to Panjim in his car and then
park in the multi-level parking lot and expect to wait for a service that may
come or not come. These issues have to be sorted out. The tourist taxi problem
has to be sorted out. There has to be some park and drive facility which is
required if one has to go to Hotel Mandovi from the multi-level parking
Coming soon: Events
on top floor of parking facility, and hop-on hop off buses
The other main actor in all this play, Nikhil Desai, MD GTDC
said things were all falling into place slowly but surely. He said “We are
expecting 6 bidders to present their offer s on January 13. This will be for
the operation and management of the multi-level parking. The mandate will
include generating revenue by organizing events on the top floor of the parking
lot, ensuring the people using the parking facilities had a pleasant
experience.
The big ask however is; will people coming into Panjim for work
or leisure, watch events on top of the parking lot and then take buses to go to
points within the town? Has this been thought out?
In addition, they will also offer a hop on hop off operation
into the city. Five of the companies that have bid for the contract are Goan
companies.” He generally bemoaned the attitude of the average Goan who felt
that if he or she had a car then it meant an entitlement to free parking. He
said “They are willing to pay lakhs to buy a car but will create a ruckus when
it comes to paying Rs. 20 for parking. The mentality has to change”.
Kabir Pinto Makhija the (Ex-Deputy Mayor CCP) had a very simple
solution to it all. He said “ All vehicles be it staff or visitors coming to
the casinos should park compulsorily at the multistoried parking lot .
Thereafter there should be a drop off service for them to the casinos to and
fro provided by the casino operators.”
Pay parking: Still in
a limbo, as Panjim’s folks pay for the mess on the roads
As far as pay parking was concerned, he informed that the
executive revealed the body had received two bids towards tender for paid
parking in the city. It was under scrutiny and could be operational once
everything was in place. So, these issues have to be sorted out. The paid
parking scheme has to be introduced. It should all fall into place in the next
couple of month”.
The challenge ahead can be gauged by the answer of Vishal Rawley
who bemoaned the chaotic nature of the traffic on December 31. He felt it was
important to have more policing. This absence of discipline with regards to
parking he said was indicative in the absence of focus on the part of the state
when it came to attracting tourists. It was important to bring in a better kind
of tourist, someone with discipline which would help the state. The challenge
may also be to change the levels of frustration amongst residents of the city.
Patricia Pinto sounded helpless when she asked “ Who should I speak to about
the appalling traffic situation in Panjim?. No one is willing to give me answer.
The city has been taken over by casinos. This is an everyday issue. The paid
parking multi-level is for show. The Panjim of today is so different from the
Panjim of 2000. I am hoping and praying for some way to be shown to me”
Perhaps
2020 will show us the way.
