PANJIM: The opposition to the proposed toll fees for two-wheelers and exorbitant hike in fares for four-wheelers using ferryboats is growing across the State as islanders will stage a protest at Old Goa ferry ramp on Sunday at 10.30 am, to demand immediate roll back of the new rates.
The opposition parties too have joined the protests even as the new rates of toll fee will be implemented from November 16.
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As per the new rates the two-wheelers will be charged Rs 10 per trip, while monthly pass for two-wheelers for unlimited trips is fixed at Rs 150. For three-wheelers and four-wheelers, the rate per trip is Rs 40 and monthly pass is Rs 600.
Of the total 18 ferryboat routes across the State, seven routes are in the Cumbarjua constituency.
These constituents are likely to be impacted the most by the new rates. The commuters using Ribandar-Chorao route have been demanding immediate roll back of the new rates as they solely depend on ferryboats in the absence of proper roads connecting the island.
According to Cumbharjua Block Congress president Vishal Volvoikar, commuters from Divar, Chorao, St Estevam and other parts of Goa will join and support the protest against the hasty decision of the government to levy charges for two-wheelers using ferryboat services. This is pure injustice to poor and common man especially of Cumbharua constituency where there are seven ferryboat routes, he said demanding to roll back the decision.
Meanwhile, River Navigation Minister Subhash Phal Desai has justified the hike saying that the introduction of a monthly pass system for daily commuters would work out to the same old rate. The objective of introducing tickets for two-wheelers and increasing the fare for four-wheelers was to generate revenue for enhancing the service and plug revenue leakages, he said.
However, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has hinted at reviewing the toll fee decision following representations by two MLAs representing the islanders. There are possibilities that the toll fee for two-wheelers could be reduced from Rs 10 to Rs 5 per trip.
