PAUL CARVAHO
CURCHOREM: Traffic sense among people is going from bad to worse! And poor infrastructure and government indifference had compounded the problem.
It is common sight to see vehicles parked haphazardly in different areas of Curchorem, due to lack of proper and insufficient parking space. And the government is yet to address the plight of people who come to Curchorem market for shopping or visits to offices and banks, but have to struggle to find proper parking space.
Being aware of the acute parking problem, the administration is yet to clear several old vehicles which have been parked at the same spot for quite some time now. The problem becomes acute when one realises that these vehicles are seen parked permanently on the roads, day and night, in the main market.
Interestingly, some of the vehicles that do not seem very old, are also used as godowns to store goods and equipment. Everybody seems to be aware of the problem, but prefer to look the other way.
One may notice a Maruti van and a goods rickshaw parked on the main road below the old building of New Educational Institute, Curchorem. Close by, another van has been parked near the old central library building (municipal building). These vehicles have been occupying the side of the road for the past several months, using it like a private parking spot. Yet authorities, instead of taking action and booking the wrongdoer seem to ignore the problem.
When this correspondent confronted the Chief Officer of Curchorem-Cacora Municipal Council Promod Dessai, as to why no action was taken against owners who park their vehicles on the side road, causing inconvenience to others and those that parked their vehicles permanently on the public roads, the Chief Officer assured to look into the matter.
When asked when, he informed that the vehicles would be removed within the week.
Informing about the old vehicles which are parked on the internal road near the GSUDA market due to its non-functioning, he said that it will be removed once they received a permission from the collector to auction them.
“I have moved a file to the Collector requesting to grant a permission to auction these old vehicles and they will be auctioned once we received the permission and the road will be cleared as requested by Curchorem traffic cell.
Several residents of Curchorem have demanded the immediate removal of these vehicles that not only creates a nuisance and obstruct smooth traffic movement for other road users, but also is unsightly sight.
Some have even demanded strict action against those employing this ‘illegal’ practice, especially those that disregard the right of free movement.
