MARGAO
Terming rent-a-bikes as a bigger nuisance on Goan roads, Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho has said he cannot allow tourists on a holiday in the State to die on Goan roads or go home maimed in accidents.
Calling for an audit on the rent-a-bikes as well as rent-a-taxi, black and yellow taxis and tourist taxis operating in the State, the Transport Minster unveiled his plan to impose restrictions on rent-a-bikes in the State.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the opening of the new store of Walk Over at Gogol, Margao on Saturday, Mauvin said “rent-a-bikes may be needed on short distance routes, but they are involved in road accidents, including fatal ones, as tourist use the two-wheelers to travel long distances in the State. Many a time, we have found the pillion rider on a rent-a-bike going by the Global Positioning System (GPS) and give wrong direction to the rider, resulting in many a fatal accident”, he said.
Conceding the rent-a-bike riders park their vehicles anywhere, including road and entrance to buildings and even the airport, Mauvin said these bikes are creating nuisance for the people, even restricting them entering their houses. “As per rules, the rent-a-bikes ought to have their own parking facilities. But they are parking anywhere and everywhere. Complaints are galore that these two-wheelers and four- wheelers are causing nuisance to the general public. Hence, I have ordered an audit to find out the enormity of the parking problem and other issues”, he added.
Reminding the media that he has already imposed restrictions on the registration of rent-a-bike in the state, Mauvin said he would review the situation before removing the restrictions. “We will take a considered decision whether one person can go for 50 rent-a-bikes or only 20 or two in the future”, he said.
Apart from the parking and accident issues involving rent-a-bikes, the Transport Minister said the government also believes that too many rent-a-bikes and cars on the roads will also have an impact on the economy, when those involved in the business are unable to repay the loans for lack of business, even leaving the banks to suffer.
Saying the rent-a-bikes pose a nuisance to the general public, Mauvin said he would ensure that necessary conditions are imposed to regulate the activity.
PANCHAYAT POLLS: Godinho announced that the Panchayat elections will be held in June.
He said the process of delimitation of wards has just finished, adding that State Election Commission will now take up the issue of ward reservation.
“The SEC is seized of the matter, including delimitation and reservation of wards. The moment the exercise is completed, the government would announce dates for the Panchayat polls”, Mauvin added.
