PANJIM: The River and Navigation Department (RND) is mulling to levy charges for carrying two-wheelers on the ferry boats across the State.
According to highly placed sources in the department, the proposal to levy charges are under process.
The department has a fleet of 32 boats of which 28 are operational on 18 routes.
“There is no proposal to increase the charges for passengers. The plan is to levy charges on two-wheelers, which are at present free. There is also a proposal to enhance the toll fee charges for four-wheelers which are Rs 10 and Rs 7. The proposal is being processed. There is move to levy the charges as the department is incurring losses in running the ferries,” sources said.
As per the sources, the department spends Rs 45 crore per year on running 32 ferry boats.
“The department is spending around Rs 1 crore per fleet per year. It spends Rs 2.5 lakh on staff per month per ferry boat. Then fuel charges and maintenance charges are there,” sources said.
Though the rates have not been finalised but if levied then the department will be able to recover at least Rs 4 crore per year.
“Total budget provision for running the entire fleet is Rs 45 crore. The department will be able to recover about Rs 4 crore per year if the charges are levied. Service for two wheelers and passengers are free. Four-wheelers are being charged only Rs 7 or Rs 10. So at present income from the collection is around Rs 70 lakh per year only. If income is compared with the expenditure, then it is very less. So roughly there is a loss of around Rs 44 crore per year. Previously, a tanker would come at Rs 7 lakh but it costs Rs 13 lakh. A minimum of 100 litres are required to run a ferry boat on a daily basis,” the sources said.
Recently, the Reis Magos panchayat had passed a resolution stating that the RND may levy charges but must provide uninterrupted service to the commuters.
Currently the RND is issuing tickets to only vehicular commuters.