Staff Reporter

Margao

Chairperson of Margao Municipal Council (MMC) Damodar Shirodkar informed that information regarding rent-a-bike operators has been sought from the transport department for necessary action since their vehicles lay parked in MMC areas, blocking precious parking spaces.

Shirodkar, on Thursday, chaired a meeting on the issue with senior police officials, DySP traffic and motor vehicle inspectors (MVIs) of transport department from Margao, president of the New Market Vendors’ Association, besides councillors and the chief officer.

Ruling councillor Mayesh Amonkar had pointed out that the rent-a-bikes are being kept illegally at prime spots of the town and it was compounding the parking woes.

“We had a discussion on the rent-a-bikes parking issue. Councillor Mayesh Amonkar explained how such two-wheelers are illegally parked on the roads. The motor vehicle inspectors present for the meeting informed us that they have issued permission to operators to conduct their business with 5 to 10 bikes only upon showing that they have place to park their vehicles. A trade licence was also issued earlier to one of such rent-a-bike operators. I have sought details from the MVIs in order to take action against the operators,” Shirodkar said after the meeting.

Councillor Amonkar had alleged that there are several rent-a-bikes that are parked illegally on the road shoulders in Margao areas. He had urged the chief officer and the chairperson to take appropriate action to stop such illegality. As a follow-up, the chairperson convened the meeting.

The civic chairperson also informed that the authorities discussed the Shigmo route and the related arrangements.