Panaji traffic cell staff shortage keeps cab parking ban on paper

Panaji: The North Goa collector issued an order last week to ban taxis from parking in the capital’s general parking lots, the order is yet to be implemented. Taxis are still occupying general parking lots in the city. Panaji traffic cell of Goa police, which is the implementing agency, is functioning with less than 50% strength.TOI was the first to report about the ban on taxi parking in Panaji. Henceforth, tourist taxis will only be parked in their notified parking areas.Traffic cell police inspector (PI) and three police sub-inspectors (PSIs) are left to implement the order.The total strength of Panaji traffic cell is 111 personnel; however, only 50 personnel are currently working at the cell.The sanctioned strength of PSI at Panaji traffic cell is nine; however, present strength is only three PSIs. Out of the three PSIs, one will retire at the end of this month, another will retire in July, and one has been transferred.As per state govt direction, only PSI rank and above officers can issue a challan for traffic violations.As per the rules, in case of first violation of North Goa collector order, the traffic cell can issue a challan of Rs 500 and Rs 1,500 for subsequent violations.North Goa collector Ankit Yadav issued a notification to this effect on the recommendation of the DySP (traffic), that Panaji, being the capital, sees a heavy influx of vehicles throughout the day. In the absence of an adequate number of off-street parking facilities, many vehicles are being parked along the roadside, thereby reducing the carriageway.The notification said that while collecting or dropping customers, tourist taxis shall not halt for more than three minutes. Yadav authorised the erection of traffic signboards in order to caution/regulate motor vehicular traffic. The DySP (traffic cell) was directed to ensure due signboards at the places, and report compliance, it said.Traffic police said that as per rules, taxis cannot park and occupy parking space and wait for customers like they do outside hotels. Traffic police, however, said that if a taxi comes from another place with customers and they go out to shop, the taxi can park for some time.Traffic police also said that jams are witnessed on most busy roads of Panaji, with double parking adding to the chaos. “With no proper signboards, most of the time, vehicles enter no-entry zones. The signboards were also removed during the smart city work and have still not been erected in most places,” police said.