PANJIM: Complaints of overcharging by pay parking operators across the State seems to be turning into a regular affair with tourists going home with bitter memories.
The racket allegedly continues to flourish with operators charging different parking rates at various tourist places across the State much to the annoyance of those visiting Goa.
Tourists stressed that there should be uniform parking fees and complained that their money was getting drained by paying exhorbitant parking fees.
Sanjay, a tourist from Chandigarh, who arrived in Panjim said, “Parking fees are charged everywhere and my budget is taking a hit. The parking fee in Panjim is okay, but at other places we had to pay Rs 100 even to park for 10 minutes. In North Goa, they fleeced us and we have all the receipts to substantiate our claims.”
O Heraldo found that in Baga, the Calangute panchayat had charged tourists Rs 200 to park for six hours, in Chapora, they were charged Rs 100 for four hours, another ticket showed Rs 50, while in Panjim it is Rs 140 for six hours.
While parking rate fee boards have been erected in some parts of Panjim after a reported altercation between a city businessman and a pay parking staff, in other places such as the Samba Square, there are no boards, while in areas near the Head Post Office Panjim the boards are faded.
Another tourist Harsh said, “Parking fees should depend on the number of people sitting in the car. Even for 10 minutes, they charge Rs 100. It is exorbitant and they should charge according to time. Secondly there is no proper infrastructure in the areas reserved for parking.”
Shiva Singh, who drives a tourist taxi in the State for last 10 years suggested that parking should be free for taxis registered in the State. “Today parking fee is charged at all touristic places across Goa. I pay from my pocket because tourists refuse to pay.
O Heraldo team on Saturday night noticed a pay parking warden fleecing a couple, who came in the capital city on a rent-a-bike. The incident occurred near Old Secretariat where the warden told them to pay Rs 50 for two-wheeler parking. When we questioned, the warden told us that it was for parking the vehicle whole night. The couple said that they would be in the city for three to four hours and did a G-Pay transaction. Soon the warden made a hasty retreat from the spot.
Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) councillor Vasant Agshikar said “it is a fact that tourists are fleeced by wardens in the city. It is mostly happening when tourists are in a hurry to visit casinos. There are no proper signages and pay fee charts but entire capital city has now been notified for pay parking and it is yet to be implemented in toto.
Endorsing Agshikar, former CCP councillor Prajyot Vaigankar said that the warden were charging parking fee from tourists, parking their vehicles along the Rua José Falcão road, behind Old Secretariat, when the road was not yet notified for pay parking.