Team Herald
PANJIM: In view of ongoing Smart City works in the State’s capital, the North Goa District Magistrate has imposed restrictions on the parking of tourist taxis in the city.
Additional District Magistrate Mahadev Araundekar via a notification has barred tourist taxis from parking in general public parking lots.
Tourist taxis are not allowed to halt for more than three minutes for collecting and dropping off tourists in Panjim. Tourist taxis are directed to park only in designated parking areas till the ongoing Smart City works are completed.
The Additional District Magistrate has also authorised installing traffic signboards to caution/regulate the vehicular traffic in
the city.
Meanwhile, taking note of number of private vehicles being driven by tourists as rent-a-cars and used for commercial purposes, the Directorate of Transport has decided to crack down on the owners of such vehicles and not to issue fresh Rent-a-Cab licences/permits under the rent-a-Cab Scheme, until further notice.
The penalties to be imposed by the department will include impounding of such vehicles, slapping of a fine of Rs 10,000 and suspension of registration or permit for first-time offenders. For repeat offences, the action to be taken will include impounding of the vehicle, fine of Rs 10,000 and cancellation of the registration or permit.
According to the Directorate of Transport, the decision is taken in public interest considering concerns related to road safety, traffic congestion and regulatory compliance. It has been observed that an increasing number of road accidents involve self-driven rental vehicles, with instances of rash and negligent driving by tourists including cases of driving under the influence of alcohol, leading to grievous injuries and fatalities.
The Goa Civic and Consumer Action Network (GOACAN) has welcomed the public notice issued by the Directorate of Transport on the action to be taken on the use of private vehicles as Rent-A-Cab and for commercial activity. This will ensure the safety of the consumer in case of insurance claims in the case of road accident, GOACAN coordinator Roland Martins said.
GOACAN has decided to mobilise its volunteers in Consumer Forums and Consumer Welfare Clubs to report those vehicles indulging in such activity as part of its World Consumer Rights Day Awareness Campaign, he said.