AAP protests govt’s move to implement new ferry fees

MARGAO

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs, leaders, and volunteers gathered at the Rachol ferry point on Sunday to demand an immediate rollback of the plan to impose fees on two-wheelers using ferry services.

AAP MLA Venzy Viegas directly told the government to abolish the rates or face opposition from the common man. 

He mentioned that hydrogen-powered ferry boats are a global trend but lamented that the Goa government cannot even run solar-powered ferries.

Stating that the time has come to remove the anti-people BJP-led government, the Benaulim MLA said the people of Goa would only get justice when a government focused on the common man’s welfare takes office.

AAP Velim MLA Cruz Silva demanded an immediate inquiry into the recent purchase of electric-cum-solar ferry.

He added that until the inquiry is completed and the findings are made public, the government should refrain from imposing any fees on two-wheelers using the ferry service.

AAP South Goa district president Gerson Gomes expressed concerns that the government’s plan to impose fees on two-wheelers using the ferry and raise fees for four-wheelers would burden the common man.

He feared that people from Shiroda who rely on the ferry for employment in Margao would now have to pay additional fees.

AAP Curtorim leader Roque Mascarenhas questioned whether Curtorim MLA Reginaldo Lourenco was elected as an Independent to support the BJP’s decisions to impose fees on ferry users, burdening the common man.

AAP Cuncolim leader Prashant Naik wondered whether the government was trying to generate revenue from facilities used by the common man to prevent the boat from sinking after admitting the eight Congress MLAs.