It was rightly reported that “Multi-Level Car Parking” (MLP) near the Panjim Bus Stand constructed by State government at an estimated cost of Rs 20.44 crore was the need of the hour, as Panjim city was getting congested with no parking space available.
The tender was secured by Ms Venkatrao Infra Projects for Rs 21.78 crore and when the project got completed in 2016 the final bill went to Rs 37.40 crore almost double the estimated amount.
When the multi level car parking was allotted to Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) they should have removed pay parking tender but nothing has been done till date.
According to Lotus Environment Feasibility Report 1,150 to 1,350 cars could have been parked in five days.
Further the report states as under: In one year Rs 83 lakh to Rs 1.43 crore could have been collected (2016 to June 2019) but GTDC managed to collect just Rs 4.43 lakh. However, the maintenance cost from 2016 to June 2019 incurred by GTDC has been Rs 90.46 lakh, expenditure to our already in debt Goa government.
What is the reason car commuters do not want to park their vehicles in the multi level parking?
No immediate transport to ferry them to the city after parking their vehicles in the MLP and later bring them back to the MLP from the city. At present, no parking fees in the Panjim City, if you are lucky to get a parking space.
But now with Corporation of The City of Panaji (CCP) coming up with pay parking fees for vehicles parked in Panjim City, one should now park their vehicles inside the MLP. The government in turn should start shuttle mini bus service such as Tuk Tuk in Bangkok (seating capacity of just 10 to 12 passengers — no standing), which should ferry only those people only who have parked their vehicles inside the MLP to the city and later bring them back to MLP. Around 10 to 15 such Tuk Tuk mini buses could be kept, where five could be stationed outside the MPL and five at Kala Academy.
Only those commuters who have parking coupon from MLP can travel by these Tuk Tuk mini buses. Some rickshaws and taxis can also be kept outside MLP incase some car commuters do not want to travel by Tuk Tuk service.
With this innovative idea GTDC will generate more income, the commuters will get parking place in MLP and there will be less traffice congestion in the city.
