MARGAO: South Goa District Collector, Asvin Chandru, issued an order notifying pay parking areas at Colva beach. A series of instructions to the concerned authorities has also been issued via this notification. For instance, the Director of the Tourism Department has been asked to notify the pay parking fees as applicable.
The Tourism Department has also been asked to maintain parking lots allotted to Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).
Furthermore, the Collector has authorised the erection of traffic signboards for the pay parking to regulate motor vehicular traffic.
The Collector has also directed the Tourism Department Director to take the necessary steps via its contractor for the operation and maintenance of the parking lot at Colva, for installing signboards at the above locations along with the installation of cautionary signboards at the specified locations.
These include road markings of thermoplastic luminous paint/strips, median markings for better visibility, guidance of motorists, etc. As per the notification issued in the public interest by the South Goa Collector under Section 117 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, certain areas under their corresponding survey numbers have been notified for various types of vehicles. This includes demarcation for pay parking for 150 two-wheelers; 84 four-wheelers; 64 cars parking; 15 taxis, as well as demarcation for autorickshaw and motorcycle pilot two-wheeler parking.
The notification will be applicable 24 hours a day on all days, within Survey N. 40/1(part), 37/2, 37/3, 37/4, 37/5, 37/6, 37/8, 37/10, 37/11, 38/1, and 23/1 in the Village Colva in Salcete Taluka, subject to the stipulated conditions.
The attendants engaged in collecting parking fees shall be compulsorily wearing proper uniforms and display proper photo ID cards with unique numbers issued by the contractor of the Department of Tourism, which shall be displayed on the person. The attendant shall also carry a certified copy of the rate chart notified by the Director of Tourism for showing to the citizens as and when demanded.
This notification has raised concerns about whether local residents, be it of Colva or the rest of Goa, would have to pay for parking at the iconic beach that sees thousands of visitors, including tourists, on a daily basis.
