Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho on Monday said that the Transport Department officials in the coastal state will be checking the violations of drunken driving in the state even in the night.
Godhino was Speaking during the eleventh State Road Safety Week 2022 in Porovorim besides Godhino also present were tourism minister Rohan Khaunte Convenor of GOACAN Roland martins and others
Godinho said that the issue of road safety has to be taken more seriously by the authorities adding that the issues like pot hole ridden roads are to be solved by Public Works Department for which he would work with his counterpart.“Some of the officers from other departments take the issue of road safety lightly. They don’t even attend the meetings. It is high time that the officers take such things very seriously,” Godinho said.The minister said that he will ask the Transport Department officials to conduct checkings outside the bars and pubs in the state besides waiting at the crucial spots during the night time to curb the drunken driving. He also appealed to all the taxi operators to shift to the App. Godinho said that the Goa Miles App which is currently active in Goa has been doing good work and hence there is no requirement, at this point, for the cab aggregators like Ola and Uber.
Minister for Transport Mauvin also Godinho directed his department to become “ruthless” in bringing discipline on Goan roads while stating that targets will be set for the traffic policemen across the State.Mauvin also questioned whether Goans or other tourists do not follow the rules in other countries?
“I have directed the department to become “ruthless” in bringing discipline on Goan roads. targets will be set for the traffic policemen across the State,” said Godinho
He further said that People in Goa break the rules because everyone has a ‘connect’ that they can walk into the assembly and meet a minister or just call them and say, “I’ve been caught; please tell them to leave me” this has become a common phrase.
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want this to be discontinued; I’ve told the director to give the cops targets and compulsory they have to fine. Discipline has to come on the roads,” he added.
Mauvin said that his department will introduce a new norm in Goa where the bars and restaurants with high footfalls should not allow their customers to drive back after drinking but send them in a taxi.
“We do not want drunken driving incidents. In the long term, my government will bring legislation that will make it compulsory for all places (establishments serving liquor) to employ a minimum of one driver. These places will have to ensure that if their customers are drunk, they should not be allowed to drive their vehicle; instead, the driver will drop the customers to their destination,” he added.
At Dabolim airport, the minister said he would inaugurate the GoaMiles Taxi counter next week.
“Karnataka may have banned Ola and Uber, which is their issue, not ours. We already have a Goa Miles taxi app that has had a contract with the Tourism department for 25 years,” he informed.
He said the State has to abide by the High Court decisions and can get the GoaMiles counter.
“As far as GMR airport is concerned, it is a private airport that wants to give people all kinds of service options. We cannot stop them from using Ola and Uber, and after the issues in Karnataka, they may take their call, but we cannot interfere there,” said Godinho.
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