PANAJI
Caught between mounting public risk and limited legal authority, the River Navigation Department conceded that the Panaji ferry wharf has effectively turned into an illegal parking zone, choking traffic and posing serious safety concerns, even as repeated appeals to the police have brought little enforcement.
RND Minister Subhash Phal Dessai said the department would write to the Goa Police again and if no action follows, it would deploy round-the-clock private security as a last resort.
The concerns gained urgency after a Maharashtra-registered vehicle parked at the jetty was partially submerged in the waters near the Panaji ferry wharf on Thursday night. There were no injuries, and the car was later retrieved by personnel of the Fire and Emergency Services.
“We have time and again informed the police that this is not supposed to be a parking lot. It is obstructing vehicular traffic. People park their vehicles and go. Many of these vehicles belong to people who have rented out places nearby,” Phal Dessai said in response to media questions on Friday.
The minister said the incident has pressed the need for a permanent solution and confirmed that the department would seek a joint meeting with the Traffic Police to prevent the wharf from being misused for parking.
“We understand the Panaji ferry wharf is RND property, but... we cannot issue challans, nor do we have the authority to remove vehicles illegally parked here. We will deploy a security guard if no action follows from the traffic police,” he said.
Responding to another question, Phal Dessai said enforcement gaps often leave officials facing public backlash. “People turn against our officials when they are stopped for illegal parking... We are not authorised to remove vehicles, but we will arrive at a solution,” he reiterated.
