Margao still grappling for parking space!

MARCOS GONSALVES

marcos@herald-goa.com

MARGAO:  The State’s commercial capital continues to grapple with the parking issue. It’s not just the lack of space but, there appears to be no seriousness on the part of the concerned authorities in solving the issue which has been plaguing the town for years. 

The Margao Municipal Council (MMC) has been struggling to push forward the multi-storied parking project.  

Herald scrutiny revealed that several proposals on creation of a parking facility/multi-storied parking project are yet to take off, despite several MMC resolutions and requests from Traffic Cell since 2014. On the other hand, of 21 CCTV cameras installed at 11 locations, only three are functional, while the rest are craving for MMC’s attention. 

Traffic congestion has been a regular feature in Margao as the civic body has failed to ease the problem faced by commuters and town residents. Also, non-adherence to traffic rules by commuters has also led to the mess. 

Speaking to Herald Margao Traffic Cell PI Gautam Salunke said lack of space has resulted in major traffic problems in the commercial capital. 

“What Margao is facing is lack of space for parking. Traffic Cell has proposed three parking areas to the MMC which include a pick-up stand near Lily Garment, old bus stand opposite police headquarters and behind the municipal building. These were proposed in 2020. However, since 2014, the Traffic Cell has been submitting such proposals to the municipal council”, he said. 

The PI said they have noticed an increase in the number of vehicles. Several people park their vehicles in the town and move out to their respective workplaces by depriving others of parking space. 

Gautam said several times commuters blame traffic police for failing to control the mess. “It is totally wrong on their part to accuse the Traffic Cell for the mess, as we fail to understand the practical issues”, he stated. 

He said in these five days the Traffic Cell has booked nearly 3,189 cases with regards to obstructive parking, besides, 554 people have been booked for parking the vehicles in the “no-parking” area and there are nearly 560 cases for unauthorized parking. 

The PI said the completion of truck-terminus cum bus stand, restrictions on buses entering the town and a fly-over can solve the issue. 

“A multi-storied parking project or the pay parking system can provide some relief. However, what lacking is a dedication to resolve the issue”, said Peter Fernandes, a resident. 

MMC chairperson Lyndon Pereira said, “We have already moved the resolution with regards to the multi-storied parking project before the Directorate of Municipal Administration for approval. My Council is very much serious on resolving the parking problem in the town. I have already asked the councillors to identify the areas for parking. We will try hard to solve this issue at the earliest”. 

On the other hand, Margao Traffic Cell, which is already short-staffed, is having a tough time to control the traffic for the past decade. The Traffic Cell has only 14 police constables to ensure the smooth movement of the traffic from Cuncolim to Nuvem. 

“We are in charge of nearly four police stations namely Cuncolim, Maina-Curtorim, Fatorda, and Margao Town, which is a very vast area”, said PI Traffic Cell, Margao Gautam Salunke. 

The sanctioned strength of cell with regards to police constables is 58. However, the current strength is 19 and practically only 14 are on the move. Five police constables are deployed for other services.