Massive protests were held on Sunday in Old Goa, Chorao, and Rachol by the islanders over the proposed toll fee for two-wheelers (which had no fee earlier) and the exorbitant hike in fares for four-wheelers using ferryboats. The protesters are threatening to launch an agitation if the government fails to roll back the toll fee by November 16.
As per the new revised rates of the government, two-wheelers will be charged Rs 10/- per trip, and four-wheelers will be charged Rs 40/- per trip on all ferryboat routes in Goa from November 16.
The River Navigation Minister, Subhash Phal Dessai, has claimed that the reason the government decided to introduce tickets for two-wheelers and increased the fares for four-wheelers on all ferryboat routes is to generate revenue for enhancing the service and to plug revenue leakages. Now, what is Subhash Phal Dessai really trying to say with such a statement?
If that is indeed the case, then why is the present government still wasting crores of public funds on organizing events to glorify its own so-called ‘achievements’ in different parts of Goa?
