In its bid to unclog the city’s streets, the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) will launch a drive, starting Thursday, to tow away all junk cars and unused vehicles lying around the capital city.
Mayor Carolina Po said that other vehicle owners “are being deprived of parking space in the city” on account of these vehicles. “As of now, we have identified 10 to 15 cars lying unused in the city. We will start towing them away from tomorrow,” she added.
The move has brought cheer to several residents who have been repeatedly complaining about Panaji’s streets being clogged by unused vehicles.
Businessman Bashir Shaikh is one such. “It’s unfair that the owners can keep their junk vehicles permanently on the streets for free even as the corporation talks about introducing pay parking,” said Shaikh.
Pointing to places the CCP could clean up, he said, “There are goods carrier rickshaws opposite the Palacio de Goa hotel as well as near the furniture showroom near the St Inez four-road junction. Then the parking space opposite the Panaji police station is filled with junk two-wheelers. Similarly, a gadda near the BSNL office on 18th June Road is permanently parked in space meant for two-wheelers,” alleged Shaikh.
Meanwhile, the CCP is looking at other solutions to the parking space crunch in the city as well. Po said that the civic body will introduce 3 to 4 pay parking lots around the city, including one in the market area, post the Lok Sabha polls.
Asked if the corporation would revive a similar project thought of by former mayor Tony Rodrigues, she said the previous project’s feasibility would have to be discussed first. It may be recalled that Rodrigues tried to introduce pay parking on 18th June Road, A B road, M G road and their respective by-lanes. Tenders were floated, but the project was never implemented after business communities and residents living along the streets objected.
Source: Times of India