Central advisory may not affect Goa entry fee
GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 18 May 2013 21:04 IST
Entree Fee collection booth at Pollem
The letter sent by union ministry of road transport and highways may not apply to Goa government since Goa refunds the fees to outside vehicles if they exclusively use only the national highways and the rules are made under Goa, Daman and Diu Highways Act 1974.
The union ministry has objected to the entry fee imposed by Goa government on outside vehicles under National Permit System for goods vehicles plying on national highways.
Though the letter sent by the union ministry has been leaked out to the media, it is yet to reach Goa, stated sources in the Secretariat.
Highly placed sources in the transport department told goanews.com that the content of the letter appears to have been related to the Motor Vehicles Act, which is not applicable to Goa’s entry fee and it is not even managed by the transport department.
PWD chief engineer J S Rego said the entry fee is imposed by amending Goa Highways Rules 1990 under the Goa Highways Act of 1974.
Under section 54 A and 54 B, the act gives powers to the state government to levy fees for services or benefits rendered on highways or for use of roads.
“The rates of fees shall be levied and paid to the Government, fees on mechanical vehicles for the use of State highway, district road, village road or a permanent bridge or at the rates specified in the Schedule to these Rules”, states the Goa Highways Rules.
“If the vehicles entering Goa use only the national highway and move out of the state within four hours, then we refund them the fee”, said Rego.
The Rules make a special provision in this regard, under section 7, called “Refund of fee collected”.
“The mechanical vehicle which enters the State of Goa via National Highway and exclusively uses the National Highway network for its movement and exits the State of Goa before the expiry of four hours from the time of its entry into the State of Goa, shall be entitled for refund of the total amount of fee paid by it at the time of entry”, states the section.
goanews.com today witnessed the vehicle movement at the Pollem fee collection centre, which has a window also on the exit side, to pay the refund.
The PWD personnel working at the booth said there are many vehicles, which take refund and pass out of Goa.
The personnel however did not have much time to speak since the vehicles were entering continuously from Karwar side.
Around 250 to 300 vehicles enter Goa every day, most of which are private cars, but very few vehicles above six wheels, the personnel told goanews.com.
The PWD charges Rs 100 for rickshaws; Rs 250 for four-wheelers including motor car, jeep, pick up van or station wagon etc; Rs 500 for six-wheelers like bus or truck and Rs 1000 for vehicles more than six wheels like mobile cranes, bulldozers, earthmovers, road rollers etc.
