STREET VOICES: Should the entire Latin quarter in Panjim be made in a complete no motor zone?

Residents of Sao Tome meet the local MLA to find a permanent solution to their woes

Published on:

21 Oct 2024, 4:15 pm

PANJIM: The rise in tourist activity in the Sao Tome and Fontainhas areas has not only caused overcrowding and disrupted the tranquility of local residents but has also resulted in the loss of parking spaces for those living in the community. As a result, residents are grappling with significant parking issues near their own houses. In this edition of Street Voices, Herald TV spoke to locals on whether a complete no motor zone should be enforced in the entire Latin quarter in Panjim.

We are not against tourism, but it has to be regulated and organised one. Mostly because this place has bylanes, narrow lanes, and does not have the holding capacity. There is no infrastructure for mass tourism. This area should be a pedestrian zone for tourists.

Vasquito Dias, Resident, Fontainhas

Casino Parking and Tourist Parking should be connected to the centralised parking area. The road from the Post Office is parked with a continuous line of motorcycles. Panjim is looking like a Parking lot, it’s not looking like a City anymore. The charm of the city is lost with all the machine that are parked on our streets. We need to take care of this.

Arminio Ribeiro, Architect/Resident

What is the use of making it a no motor zone? Even the residents will not be able to park. I have travelled all over India, near the Red Fort instance they tell you where you can go and where you cannot go. These guides bring the tourists like cattle. Tourist guides should be trained to direct and instruct the tourists. If this is done the problems will be solved. The tourist guides should be trained by the Tourism Department.

Tony Barreto, Resident, Fontainhas

In every house there are at least two cars. If they are not able to park near their own homes and tourists come and park their cars there, this is a big problem for the residents. Where will the park the cars. Already there is a no motor zone in Sao Tome and Fontainhas area, but there is no enforcement.

Each resident has to take the responsibility of telling the tourists not to park in front of their houses and they do listen. Sometimes they sit in the car and keep the AC on and that leads to carbon monoxide coming into our house. But if you tell them they apologise and put off the engine.

Jovito Lopes, Resident, Fontainhas