DHIRAJ HARMALKAR
Locals from Vasco are very concerned about the haphazard parking and the problems it creates in the port town. When questioned about the same, the Mormugao Municipal Council Chief Officer said, “The Director of Municipal Administration has visited the municipality and inspected the old municipal garage site where the council is planning to come up with a pay-parking structure. The structure is expected to have four floors and provisions for parking two-wheelers and four-wheelers.”
Presently the parking issue under Mormugao municipal jurisdiction has gone for the toss. The parking demarcated areas have been encroached by the hawkers and vendors.
Due to the increasing number of vehicles plying on the roads of Vasco and being a port town, a parking place for vehicles entering into Vasco is a must. Sources from the Traffic police has also said that some places which are demarcated as parking places have encroached and municipality should vacate these illegal encroachments and should put it specifically for parking.
“Due to the increase in the number of vehicles we don’t have enough parking spaces in Vasco town. The municipality should acquire a place for the pay parking structure, especially for the vehicles coming into the market. Vendors and hawkers are seen encroaching footpaths and people tend to park their vehicles on the roads,” said Vikram Sarmalkar, a social activist.
Another social worker Preetam Naik concurred. “We need to have a parking facility in Vasco, whether it is paid or free it is a must. There are many places such as Dev Damodar Trust’s place where you can come up with a parking place. Heavy vehicle traffic is too much in town and people are not following traffic rules properly which further worsens the problem of parking,” he said.
“There is not enough parking place and haphazard parking of vehicles further creates problem to park especially for four-wheelers. On a Sunday bazaar, it becomes more difficult for us to park the vehicle and visit the market,” said local resident Ram Bhosle.
