MARGAO: Citizens of Colva and Benaulim have vehemently opposed the recently issued notification for pay parking areas at Colva beach, expressing concerns about potential losses to the local business community and inconvenience to visitors. A delegation from Colva and Benaulim met the newly appointed Minister, Aleixo Sequeira, urging his intervention in the matter.
Minister Sequeira assured the delegation that he would discuss the issue with the Tourism Minister and the Chief Minister. Meanwhile, Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas has called for a special gram sabha of Colva panchayat to discuss the pay parking issue and pass a resolution.
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The South Goa District Collector, Asvin Chandru, recently issued the order designating pay parking areas at Colva beach under Section 117 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The notification outlined specific areas for various types of vehicles, including two-wheelers, four-wheelers, cars, taxis, autorickshaws, and motorcycle pilot two-wheeler parking.
The locals and businessmen highlighted the potential negative impacts of pay parking on local businesses, including shack owners and those involved in water sports, as well as the inconvenience to both tourists and locals visiting the iconic Colva beach. He stated that implementing pay parking could discourage visitors and demanded the scrapping of the notification.
While acknowledging that the matter falls under the Tourism Department’s purview, Sequeira pledged to present the issue to the Chief Minister and Tourism Minister.
In response to the citizens’ opposition, MLA Venzy Viegas supported their cause and emphasised the need for a special gram sabha to address and pass a resolution against pay parking at Colva beach.
