While Curchorem town has been progressing at a steady pace and is attracting residents and visitors with each passing year, limited space has made it difficult to accommodate the growing number of vehicles in and around the town.
As a result, a number of vehicles are seen moving or parking in a haphazard manner in Curchorem and while this has annoyed many residents, authorities have voiced helplessness in tackling the problem.
The problem has become so acute that traffic authorities have fined as many as 631 motorists for ‘no-parking’ related offences in and around Curchorem from January to March 15.
“It’s an irritating experience. Finding proper parking space seems to be a perennial problem in the market area of Curchorem. Forget about the four wheelers, parking two-wheelers also appears to be a challenge at times. Pedestrians have to pass through a confusing maze of vehicles just to find a way out,” laments Thereza Vaz e D’Costa, a teacher from Curchorem.
“As a citizen, I would like to urge authorities concerned to make a provision for a proper parking space for vehicles in a time-bound manner, to avoid inconvenience to motorists and pedestrians,” she added.
Agrees Curchorem Congress Block President John D’Costa: “Vehicles are parked haphazardly even in no-parking areas due to non-availability of parking space. The police then fines them on the spot or after watching CCTV or mobile footage without even verifying if sufficient place was available or not.”
“Police sends a traffic ticket (challan) to the erring motorist’s address after watching mobile phone footage and then, one has to travel all the way to Panjim to pay the fine. Those failing to pay the fine on time are then expected to be present in the Civil Court as an accused to pay the fine,” said John D’Costa.
He has urged the State government to direct all municipal councils and panchayats to create proper parking facilities with sufficient space in the market.
According to CTN Higher Secondary Principal Vaman Bhadri, Curchorem needs a systematic plan to be developed by authorities for next 25 years, considering the growth of Curchorem.
Social worker Manohar Naik recalled that parking space had been acquired by the Curchorem-Cacora Municipal Council (CCMC) near the municipal garden over 10 years ago.
“Till today, there has been no improvement. There is no marking and no signboard at the site,” said Naik.
“In the main market, space earmarked for parking is mostly occupied by office-goers who travel by train. They leave their vehicles at 6.30 am and return only at 7 pm. Some shopkeepers park their vehicles right in front of their shops and these places are vacant only when they close their shops late in the evenings.”
“Customers visiting the Curchorem market waste valuable fuel in order to find parking space. The only other option is to leave their vehicle at least half a kilometre away and walk up to the market. This is totally injustice to the citizens,” retorted Naik.
When contacted, Curchorem Traffic Cell (CTC) Police Inspector Sudesh Velip admitted that the parking facilities in the market are insufficient.
“Vehicles are increasing almost everyday. It is the duty of municipal councils and panchayats to provide parking spaces in their respective areas,” said Velip.
According to PI Velip, the CTC had fined 631 motorists for only ‘no-parking’ related offences and had collected fines amounting to Rs 63,100 from January to March 15.
When asked if the CCMC had taken any decision to tackle the parking problem in the town, CCMC Chairperson Carmelina Fernandes replied: “The CCMC has not planned nor has taken any decision to acquire any additional land for parking as yet.”
