PANAJI
Taxi operators have protested against the ban on parking their vehicles in public parking spaces in Panaji during the ongoing 'Smart City' work and have demanded that the decision be reviewed.
"We come to drop off tourists who walk around and explore Panaji city but until they come back or call to be picked up from the location they are at, where are we supposed to park our cars?," questioned Sheikh Muzaffar Ahmed, president of All Goa Taxi Drivers Association.
Ahmed and a group of taximen have submitted a memorandum to the North Goa collector demanding that the ban be lifted or they be designated an area where they can park during the waiting time when their clients move around in the city.
Ahmed said the notification said in the past they would park their cars in public parking lots and pay the fees but after this notification, this is not allowed and the RTO imposes a fine of up to Rs 2,500.
He said, that most tourists come to Panaji either for lunch or dinner and to explore Fontainhas, the Mary Immaculate Church, Mahalaxmi Temple and the casinos.
"Where should we park the cars after we drop off our clients? Many also go to Panaji market to buy Goan spices and spend an hour there. Where should we park?” Ahmed questioned, adding that the notification should have specified the "designated areas" where they can park.
Ahmed said that the Collector has promised to look into the issues raised by them in the memorandum.
The notification barring tourist taxi operators from parking their vehicles in "public parking spaces" in the capital city and to use only those spaces notified and designated for them was issued two weeks ago by Additional District Magistrate North Goa, Mahadev Araundekar.
Araundekar's notification, however, mentioned that the order is "temporary" and its tenure will be concurrent with the period taken to complete all the ongoing smart city work.
