PANAJI
Goa government’s ambitious plan to impose a ‘Green Cess’ on non-Goan vehicles entering the coastal state has made no headway, more than a year after it was officially announced in the state budget.
The initiative, which aimed to generate revenue to meet the infrastructure requirements due to the increase in vehicular traffic, was even appreciated by the Union Ministry for Road Transport and Highways when it was announced in the State Budget 2023-24.
After a subsequent draft notification proposing to implement a unique sticker for non-Goa registered vehicles, a QR code, and a Rs 250 “Green Cess” per vehicle, there has been no further development. The current Budget 2024-25 made no mention of this proposal.
The Action Taken Report released in November 2023 stated that a draft notification had already been submitted to the Transport Department. However, no further progress was made.
Sources said that enforcing a Green Cess on vehicles entering Goa would be used to support cleanliness, sanitation, medical assistance, changing rooms, electric vehicle charging stations, energy conservation, and pollution reduction efforts throughout Goa.
Sawant also explained that each vehicle entering Goa would receive a unique sticker, which would be affixed to the vehicle. This would enable these drive-in tourists to move freely across the state without being stopped for document checks.
He emphasised that this measure was designed to improve the travelling experience of tourists, with formalities completed at the entry/exit points by the Transport Department. Exemptions were made for vehicles transporting essential commodities and those belonging to the state/central government or the judiciary.
“Upon payment of the Green Cess, vehicles would receive a QR code sticker after verification of documents, exempting them from further checks within Goa, except in cases of traffic violations,” the notification stated.
Secretariat officials disclosed to The Goan that the government has hesitated to advance this plan over concerns that it may impact visitor numbers, especially as many tourists arrive by road for quick getaways from neighbouring states.
