The pay parking initiative introduced by the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) in Vasco has been put on hold following public opposition and intervention by Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho.
Godinho has written to the MMC chief officer and Vasco MLA Krishna Salkar, directing the council to suspend the pay parking system in view of the proposed beautification and redevelopment works in Vasco.
In his communication, the minister stated that continuing with pay parking at this stage would inconvenience motorists and interfere with the execution of the planned works. He also directed that the existing parking arrangement be discontinued as per applicable rules.
“I have written to the MMC chief officer stating that the pay parking system initiated by the council is not proper at this stage. I have also discussed the matter with MMC chairperson Girish Borkar and Vasco MLA Krishna Salkar and followed it up with an official letter,” Godinho said.
Explaining the rationale, the minister said that once the beautification works commence, which are expected to take nearly a year, it would not be feasible to run a pay parking system simultaneously.
“If pay parking is implemented now, the contract itself will become infructuous, as no contractor will be able to collect parking fees during the execution of the works,” he said.
Godinho also pointed out that the pay parking zones have not been clearly demarcated or properly publicised, particularly for motorists from areas such as Dabolim.
“Suddenly asking people to pay parking fees without clear markings and signages leads to unnecessary arguments. We do not want confusion among motorists,” he said.
He added that the council has agreed to keep the pay parking system on hold for the time being and will place a formal resolution in the forthcoming MMC meeting to cancel the existing contract.
“Once the beautification works are completed and parking zones are clearly demarcated with proper markings and signages, the council can float a fresh tender and reintroduce the system in a planned manner,” Godinho said.
