South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha suggested the Goa government come up with its own taxi fare rates based on kilometres. The MP blamed the traffic police for the mismanagement of traffic, which is causing prolonged traffic jams on the Zuari Bridge.
MP Sardinha did not hold back from criticising the traffic police for being unable to clear the prolonged traffic jams on the Agassaim-Cortalim stretch recently.
During the press conference on Wednesday, MP Sardinha suggested that the Goa traffic police pulling over and conducting checks on tourist vehicles has to a large extent contributed to the creation of traffic congestion.
He also said that the prolonged traffic jams seem to be an indication of the fact that there are no traffic police on the road to monitor smooth traffic movement.
Commenting on the taxi fare rates, Sardinha blamed the Goan taxi operators for charging domestic and international tourists exorbitant taxi fare rates.
He said that because of heavy taxi fare charges, tourists would definitely think of visiting other tourist destinations rather than coming back to Goa. “The Goa government should come up with its own taxi fare rates based on kilometres, which should be displayed on the cabs,” Sardinha added.
Further commenting on the sound ban after 10 pm, Sardinha said that the government should consider banning rave parties and EDMs which create noise pollution. He said that weddings, festivals, etc should be exempt from this sound restriction.
Sardinha urged the minister for agriculture and irrigation to assign the officers concerned to conduct surveys of all the bandharas in Goa and to repair the weak bandharas to promote agricultural activities in Goa.
On a concluding note, Sardinha demanded that the state government release the money due to some women for several months now, in keeping with the monthly dole scheme.