Team Herald
MARGAO: Residents of Margao and Fatorda have urged the authorities to take immediate action against the increasing problem of buses and cars being parked on roads, causing significant inconvenience to commuters.
In several locations along busy roads, including the national highway passing through Fatorda and Margao, vehicles are frequently parked, blocking up to half of the road. This severely disrupts traffic flow and raises safety concerns, particularly during peak hours. In Fatorda, near the Sincro Hotel and several other areas, both sides of the road are often occupied by parked cars throughout the day and night.
"Especially at night, it becomes increasingly difficult for drivers to navigate, and the situation worsens when street lighting is inadequate," said Franky Fernandes, a resident of Fatorda. "On several occasions, we've seen motorists crash into parked cars, leading to injuries." Fernandes also pointed out that while many roads in Fatorda are well-maintained and wide enough, illegal parking has become a major issue.
Shivnand Naik, a Margao resident, echoed similar concerns and called for action against car owners who leave their vehicles parked on the roadside for prolonged periods.
"Roads are not meant to serve as parking lots," Naik said. "It's shocking to see traffic police impose fines on vehicles stopping briefly while ignoring cars that remain parked for hours, obstructing traffic flow."
Concerned citizens have urged the District Collector to intervene and take swift action.
Residents have also called on the Traffic Police to crack down on roadside parking violations. Sapre, another local resident, expressed frustration over the apparent lack of action against vehicles with tinted windows, which are often parked along the roadside. "While traffic police are busy issuing challans to bikers without helmets, they are turning a blind eye to ongoing parking violations," Sapre said.