Now, pay to park vehicles in Colva

MARGAO
In an interesting development, South Goa District Collector, Asvin Chandru, has notified pay parking areas in the tourist village of Colva, throwing up questions whether visitors, including locals, visiting the world famous beach will have to now pay to park vehicles before descending on the beach.

While the district Collector has notified the areas for pay parking, the notification states that the Director, Department of Tourism, shall notify the pay parking fees as applicable. The parking lots allotted to persons with disability must be maintained by the Directorate of Tourism.

A glance at the notification issued by the South Goa Collector “in public interest” under Section 117 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 states that certain areas under survey numbers has been notified for Pay Parking for 150 2-wheelers, 84 4-wheelers parking, 64 car parking, taxi parking of 15 Nos, besides auto rickshaw parking and pilot two-wheeler parking.

The Notification shall be applicable 24 hours on all days, within Survey No. 40/1(part), 37/2, 37/3, 37/4, 37/5, 37/6, 37/8, 37/10, 37/11, 38/1 and 23/1 in the Village Colva in Salcete Taluka, subject to the stipulated conditions:

In this respect, the Collector has authorised the erection of traffic signboards for the pay parking in order to regulate the motor vehicular traffic.

The Director, Department of Tourism, through its contractor for operation and maintenance of parking lot at Colva shall take necessary steps for installation of signboards at the above locations along with installation of cautionary signboards i.e. road markings of thermoplastic luminous paint/strips, median markings for better visibility, guidance of motorists, etc.

The parking slip/receipt issued to the motorists shall bear the letter head of Department of Tourism & the contact number of the competent officer of Department of Tourism, Government of Goa to ensure that grievance if any is addressed by the Director of Tourism. Also complaints if any shall be addressed by the Department of Tourism.

The persons/attendant engaged/authorized in collecting parking fees shall be compulsorily wearing proper uniform and display proper photo ID cards with unique numbers issued by the contractor of Department of Tourism which shall be displayed on the person. The said person/ attendant shall also carry a certified copy of rate chart notified by the Director of Tourism for showing to the citizens as and when demanded.

The parking slip/receipt issued to the motorists shall bear the letter head of Department of Tourism & the contact number of the competent officer of Department of Tourism, Government of Goa to ensure that grievance if any is addressed by the Director of Tourism.