Goa CM: 70% Road Accidents Caused By Tourists In Rental Vehicles!
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has raised a strong concern over the increasing misuse of rent-a-cars and rent-a-bikes in the state and says it to be a key reason for the rising accident counts of the place.
Speaking at the inauguration of a new Traffic Police Cell in Fatorda, the CM revealed that over 70 percent of road accidents in Goa are caused by visiting tourists using rented vehicles. He further says that in many cases, the drivers can be drunk as well. Tourists and migrants allegedly commit various other traffic violations as well.
The minister also warned that Goa's road safety crisis will only worsen if this continues unchecked. The state currently posts at least 365 road accident deaths each year. This translates to at least one fatality a day. Despite its small geographical size, Goa has one of the highest people-to-vehicle ratios in the country. It is thus crucial to take immediate action on offenders- says the minister.
Rentals Misused, Enforcement To Get Stronger
Visiting tourists rely heavily on rented vehicles to explore Goa. Many of them allegedly do not follow or understand basic traffic rules. The minister said that these drivers often drive around recklessly and tend to overspeed. Many also tend to disobey signals and put their own lives and those of people around, at risk. Sawant also stressed the need for better law enforcement and raising public awareness on these.
Superintendent of Police (Traffic), Prabodh Shirvoikar said that the cops had previously identified over 500 privately owned vehicles operating as illegal rentals. These also included cars and bikes which were originally registered for commercial use.
The superintendent further confirmed that the department has already started tracking these down. The registration of these vehicles will then be cancelled.
New Traffic Police Cell in Fatorda To Offer Improved Efficiency
The newly opened Traffic Police Cell in Fatorda is Goa’s 17th such unit. It has been equipped with state-of-the-art systems for real-time surveillance, improved coordination, and community engagement. The CM said it would help manage traffic more effectively, ensure public safety, and allow for quicker responses to emergencies.
He also added that the government is investing in better infrastructure not just for vehicles, but for people. "Our goal is to protect lives, and this cell will play an important role in doing just that," he said.
Strict Action Against Abandoned Vehicles And Illegal Garages
Another major announcement from Sawant was a crackdown on abandoned vehicles and roadside garages. He stated that any vehicle found parked on a public road for more than eight days will be towed to a government scrapyard. Once towed, no claims will be entertained on these.
He further said that many garages have been illegally set up on public land, blocking footpaths and causing inconvenience to the public. These will also be cleared in the coming days as part of the broader effort to ensure cleaner and safer roads in Goa.
Public Transport To Be Improved
The Chief Minister also spoke about the need to improve and rely more on public transport. He announced that the government is working on a new village-to-industry transport network that will make it easier for people to commute without using personal transport.
“Citizens must begin using public transport more often. It will help reduce congestion, pollution, and road risks,” he said and emphasized that better public transport is the only way to make Goa’s roads safer and more sustainable in the long run.
Verna Junction To Be Made Safer!
Addressing another key concern, SP Shirvoikar said that a proposal is being prepared to build an overbridge or elevated corridor at the busy and accident-prone Verna Junction. The Public Works Department has already carried out an inspection, and the plan is now moving forward.
With new enforcement actions, better infrastructure, and a renewed focus on road safety in place, the government hopes to bring down accident counts and save lives.