PANAJI / BELAGAVI — Former Belagavi North MLA Anil Benake recently met with the Honorable Chief Minister of Goa, Dr. Pramod Sawant, to submit a formal memorandum regarding the heavy traffic fines being imposed on vehicles entering Goa, particularly those from Belagavi.
Following the meeting, Benake shared that Chief Minister Sawant has assured him that the Goa government will issue a gadget/official notification to implement a “first-time warning” policy with reduced fines. This move aims to serve as a cautionary measure for commuters from both Goa and Belagavi to follow traffic rules without facing immediate financial distress.
The Core Issue: 200% Hiked Fines Hurting Tourists
According to Benake, the Goa Traffic Police have been levying exorbitant fines on incoming tourist vehicles—sometimes up to 200% higher than usual. For instance, motorists are being fined as much as ₹10,000 for Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate violations.
While emphasizing that the public fully supports measures ensuring road safety, Benake pointed out that the current enforcement system is causing severe hardships for regular commuters, tourists, and local businesses.
Key Grievances Raised in the Memorandum
Anil Benake urged the Goa Chief Minister to urgently address the following critical issues:
- Faulty Digital Systems: Due to technical glitches in the automated traffic enforcement systems, citizens frequently receive incorrect e-challans.
- Lack of Clear Signage: Fines for speeding and illegal parking are often imposed in areas where speed limits and parking regulations are not clearly visible or marked.
- Impact on Tourism: Aggressive and harsh penalization of rented and tourist vehicles is damaging Goa’s reputation as a visitor-friendly destination.
- Disproportionate Fine Amounts: The heavy fine structures impose an unbearable financial burden on low-income commuters and daily wage earners for minor traffic infractions.
The Proposal: A “First-Time Warning” System
The former MLA requested the Goa administration to shift towards a more compassionate enforcement model.
“I have humbly requested the Honorable Chief Minister to consider implementing a warning system for minor, non-hazardous, first-time offenses instead of slapping immediate and hefty financial penalties,” Benake stated.
Expressing optimism after the meeting, Benake added, “Under the leadership of Dr. Pramod Sawant Ji, Goa has always thrived on a citizen-centric governance model. I am highly confident that he will review this matter compassionately and direct the concerned authorities to streamline the process.”
