Expressing dismay at the rising number of deaths in road accident.Transport minister Mauvin Godinho on Tuesday said he will ask his department to confiscate private vehicles that are being illegally rented out to tourists. He said, “Tourists come to Goa, hire rental cars, and try to teach Goans how a vehicle is driven.”
Godinho said govt has ceased issuing new licences for rental cab services. “I will direct the department to seize private vehicles given on rent from next month,” he said. He added that the illegal rental of private vehicles has been a growing concern in the state.
Expressing dismay at the rising number of deaths in road accidents, Godinho said that the media must question Uttam Parsekar, the principal chief engineer of the PWD, on the accidents resulting from poor road conditions.
“The PWD is responsible for roads. One cannot blame excessive rains alone because the weather phenomenon is going to be a constant,” Godinho said. “We cannot accept the situation in which potholes are a cause of serious accidents and a person loses their life. So, it’s high time that steps are taken.”
The minister said he complained to chief secretary Puneet Goel against the principal chief engineer for not attending one of the meetings of the state road safety council. “I have told the heads of departments that if they don’t come for meetings I will seek action against them,” he said.
Godinho said that Union minister Nitin Gadkari has sanctioned funds to rectify black spots and implement road safety measures. He said Goa govt has already tackled more than 50% of the black spots and work is in progress on others.
