The Goa government’s decision to announce a hike in ferry charges for four-wheeler vehicles and to start charging for two-wheeler vehicles has seen rumblings of discontent especially among those living on Goa’s riverine islands and for whom using the ferry is a more convenient way to travel.
The state saw protests organised by the Cumbarjua Block of the Congress committee as well as those organised by other political parties like the Revolutionary Goans, the Aam Aadmi Party as well as locals of Divar led by Sarpanch Mariano. At a gram sabha of Goltim Navelim that was held on Sunday, the villagers’ voice was unanimous that there should be no fee hike and that the existing rate should be continued.
The villagers’ reasoning was simple -- that they are living on an island that is completely reliant on ferries, introducing a fare hike would cause a huge financial burden on the villagers and that being an island without any other options, it was the duty of the government to provide the facility.
It is difficult to argue in favour of a hike of the ferry fee especially in the case of the island of Divar, which is connected to the outside world only through the ferry -- two on the west side and one on the east towards Naroa, Bicholim.
On the other hand, minister Subhash Phaldessai has argued that the RND department is incurring a loss of Rs 45 crore per year on account of the ferry services and hiking the fee as well as charging for two-wheelers will help go some way in reducing the loss to the government. Phaldessai can also argue that ferry rates have not changed for more than 15 years during which time inflations have grown at an average of 4-6% per year.
While, Phaldessai does have a point, imposing a hike on the islanders of Divar appears clearly unfair since, the state, which prides itself on being a welfare state has a responsibility to ensure modes of transportation for all citizens in the state.
To introduce a blanket hike in fees uniformly across the board appears unfair. Instead, the government should introduce a route-based fare, that could possibly include completely free travel for those coming to and from Divar including four-wheelers, but introducing hikes for other routes where the travellers have options. Several routes like Betim-Panaji, Rachol-Shiroda, Cumbarjua-Gandaulim and Dauji-St Estevam are ‘optional’ routes for ferry users. Introducing fees for two-wheelers and hikes for four-wheelers along these routes would make sense because those who do not wish to pay the hiked fee route can simply use the bridge, albeit one that follows a longer route.
It would also help the RND monetize lucrative routes like the Betim-Panaji route where people will be willing to pay the fee given that it helps avoid the Porvorim traffic jams and is one of the most heavily used routes in the state. Similarly, the government could also consider a lesser rate hike for shorter routes where the distance covered by the ferry is shorter.
One hopes better sense will prevail and the government avoids a one-size-fits-all approach for something that needs a case-to-case decision as per the needs of the people.
