PANAJI
A cluster of spring festivals fueled a sharp rise in vehicle registrations across Goa this month, as many buyers timed their purchases to coincide with an auspicious period.
So far in March, 6,687 vehicles have been registered with the Transport Department while the increase was most pronounced in the days around Gudi Padwa (March 19) and Ramzan Eid (March 21).
As per government records, between March 16 and 21, a total of 3,181 vehicles were registered. Of these, 2,710 were recorded in the four days leading up to Gudi Padwa – the Hindu New Year. Registrations slowed in the following two days, with 374 vehicles added on March 20 and 21.
The surge comes during a month dense with celebrations -- Holi was observed on March 3, while Ram Navami is due on March 26 -- a period that officials stated usually lifts consumer demand.
Two-wheelers accounted for the bulk of registrations during the six-day period, at 2,174 units, followed by 755 four-wheelers. Smaller numbers were recorded across other categories, including passenger vehicles, three-wheelers and heavy vehicles.
Mapusa RTO recorded the highest number of registrations at 623, followed by Margao with 487 and Bicholim with 439. Panaji registered 426 vehicles, while smaller numbers were reported from Ponda, Vasco, Quepem, Pernem and Canacona. Dharbandora recorded the fewest, at 41.
From January 1 to March 23, Goa registered 22,180 vehicles, comprising 20,181 non-transport and 1,999 transport vehicles. Two-wheelers made up the majority, with 14,957 registrations, followed by 5,175 four-wheelers, while the remaining were good vehicles, heavy vehicles, etc. The revenue collection so far stands at Rs 1,06,66,43,487.
