The Electric Vehicle given by the government to the Margao Municipal Council has been found parked mostly in the garage. Captured by : Santosh Mirajkar
MARGAO
Guess the state of the Electric four-wheeler handed over to the Margao Municipal Council for its official use by the government over a year ago?
Well, the EV is not found parked at the parking lot in front of the Margao Municipal Council in recent days. Instead, the vehicle is mostly found parked in the Margao Municipal garage at the Old market, throwing up question whether the EV is put to its intended use or is confined into the municipal garage.
If sources are to be believed, the EV is confined to the Municipal garage ever since the incumbent Chief Officer Gaurish Sankhwalkar opted for the old Toyota car for official purpose.
Since day one, the EV has been officially used by the Municipal Chief Officers. In fact, the EV is designated for the use of the Chief Officers as evident by the fact that the Chief Officer’s name plate is put up on the vehicle.
Sources, however, pointed out that if the incumbent Chief Officer is content in using the old Toyota vehicle, the MMC should re-designate the EV for use by some other official or for the general use of the civic body. For, it is being feared in Municipal circles that the EV may meet the same fate like many a vehicle confined to the Municipal garage for want of use.
“If the Chief Officer is comfortable in travelling by the old vehicle, the EV should be re-designated and allowed for use by other officials before the vehicle starts rotting in the garage”, remarked an official.
The Chief Officer, sources said, travels to and fro Corlim-Margao every day. The Toyota Altis, sources said has been repaired only recently at a cost of around Rs 30,000. “We have no issue over the vehicle being used by the Chief Officer. But, the electric Vehicle, which was giving over 200 kmph mileage for a single charge, should be immediately put to use”, informed an official.
