Goa's River Navigation Minister, Subhash Phal Desai, has raised serious concerns over potential revenue losses at the state's key tourism infrastructure in Panaji. The minister suspects that several private yacht operators might be using the government-built floating jetty without paying the mandatory fees, a practice that deprives the state of rightful earnings.
Streamlining Jetty Operations for Fair Revenue
Minister Subhash Phal Desai clarified that while the government constructed the jetty to support the tourism sector, it did not hire the yachts operating from it. He pointed out a troubling scenario where individuals could be freely using the public facility to run commercial rides without contributing to the state coffers. "I will enquire whether private yachts are operating on our jetty and charging for it," Phal Desai stated, emphasizing the need for a proper system.
To address this, the minister announced plans to streamline the entire process. The proposed solution involves deploying security personnel to protect government property and ensure compliance. Interestingly, Phal Desai also expressed openness to formally integrating these services. "We can float a tender and hire such services so that government can get revenue," he said, indicating a move towards a regulated, revenue-generating model for yacht operations on the jetty.
Cracking Down on Illegal Casino Parking
Beyond the jetty itself, the minister highlighted a persistent nuisance at the Panaji ferry ramp area: illegal parking by casino-associated vehicles. He firmly clarified that the area is not designated for parking and announced that steps would be taken to stop this practice. The minister revealed that traffic police have been alerted repeatedly about rental vehicles flouting the 'no parking' rules, as they obstruct vehicular movement on the jetty.
However, Phal Desai noted a jurisdictional challenge, stating, "We cannot physically move these vehicles, nor do we have the authority to challan them." Despite this, he assured that his department is determined to find a way to end the misuse of the space, implying the need for better inter-departmental coordination with law enforcement agencies.
Protecting Assets and Enhancing Governance
The minister's statements underscore a broader push for better management of Goa's public assets, especially those critical to its tourism economy. The twin issues of unauthorized commercial use of the jetty and illegal parking point to systemic gaps in monitoring and enforcement. By promising to introduce security and formal tender processes, the government aims to transition from an ad-hoc setup to a structured, revenue-secure operation.
This initiative is expected to not only boost state revenue but also improve the experience for tourists and operators alike by bringing order and clarity to the use of Panaji's vital waterfront infrastructure. The move is seen as part of ensuring that the benefits of tourism infrastructure directly contribute to the state's development.
