I had been a witness because of my stupidity for parking at a prohibited slot near SBI Branch, Panjim. I rushed to draw money at the ATM, to reach back to see my bike missing. I asked everyone around the area and one guy told me a police van lifted my vehicle along with the helmet.
First, I thought that the vehicle was robbed. Then, I decided to proceed walking upto the Traffic Cell headquarters, there I came to know from the official on duty that they have shifted my vehicle to St Cruz Police Station, a new depot. I had to hire a motorbike for which I paid Rs 120 to reach to St Cruz Police Station. By that time, I saw the police van also reaching with my vehicle to the depot.
I told the Traffic Police Officer, who was sitting in the vehicle that he did a fantastic job. Although, it was my fault for parking at slightly away from a parking slot as it was fully congested. I had to accept the fine, which was Rs 500, plus loading and unloading charges of the bike, which was another Rs 200.
I am writing this letter in ‘Citizen Herald’ in order to highlight the harassment to the public when there is hardly any space left in the city to park vehicles due to the digging of roads going on all around. The Traffic Police Inspector should have been kind and only acted for major parking irregularities.
In fact, the City Mayor instructed Traffic Police Officers to do the job of impounding two-wheelers on behalf of the Corporation of City of Panaji, which was not adequate. Even the Police Officer, I presume, was not satisfied. He saw many of those who came to collect their vehicles were almost in tears.
The in-charge of lifting vehicles told us they received instruction not to lift two-wheeler vehicles near the area where the Smart City work is going on and lift only from near the SBI branch, Cine Nacional, Azad Maidan, St Inez, Panjim church, Panjim garden etc.
The biggest problem is why St Cruz depot and not at the CCP, behind their building or Panjim Police Station, which are within the city limits as people can walk and easily collect their impounded vehicle. Why harassment for the people, to reach such a long distance, away from city limits, and levy heavy fines.
First, put the city in proper shape and then the Mayor is free to issue whatever challan he wants if there are any public irregularities, he will be appreciated.
