PANJIM: Goa has surpassed some Asian and American nations in terms of its vehicle population. There is one vehicle for every two persons in the state. While Goa's population has registered a modest decennial growth of 15.21%, its vehicle figures have grown exponentially. The economic survey 2010-11 says that the number of vehicles on the live register as on November 30, 2010 shot up to 7,65,588.
"On an average over 50,000 vehicles are being registered every year," the survey report states. While the number of vehicles in Iraq is 50 per 100—equal to Goa—the state has outdone Jordan (47/100), Bolivia (46/100), Peru (41/100), Philippines (31/100) and others. The Indian average is 12/100. Non-transport vehicles at 6,77,779 (88.53%) form a major chunk of the vehicles registered, while transport vehicles account for the remaining 11.47% (87,789).
The number of twowheelers on the live register is 5,25,912 while that of private cars and jeeps is 1,44,517. "Approximately 69% of the vehicles are non-transport two-wheelers, followed by private cars and jeeps, which account for 19% of the total vehicles," the report states. In terms of annual registration of vehicles, a total of 38,546 vehicles were registered during 2010-11 up to November 2010.
About 71% of vehicles comprised twowheelers while four-wheelers accounted for 19%. In terms of broad value group in the non-transport category, 46% of vehicles registered during 2007-08 till February 2011 have been valued at below Rs 40,000, while 37% are in the range between Rs40,000 and Rs50,000. The remaining 17% are valued above Rs 50,000. In the four-wheeler category, 25% are valued below Rs3 lakh, 45% range between Rs 3 lakh and Rs5 lakh, and the remaining 30% are valued at above Rs 5 lakh. As per the 2001 census, Goa's population stood at 13.47 lakh while it is projected to reach 17 lakh in 2011. "This is as per the national perspective of decennial growth," a source from census operations said. Goa's population growth has been considered modest as it recorded a 16% growth during the decade from 1981 to 1991 (1991 census) and 15.21% during 1991-2001 (2001 census).
With this statistics Goa seems to be a place of rich people. But the reality is just the opposite. If people are owning cars, scooters and motorcyles its not because they are rich but because we do not have proper road transport system in place. The buses have no timings or they do not follow the schedule thereby putting people to be late for jobs and other appointments. Moreover, the buses are packed like sardines with PATTI VOCH FUDDEN VOCH POLICY with no traffic police in sight. They are there only to collect hafta or bribes from the two wheelers. On Sundays and holidays some villages are totally cut off due to Private Bus Owners not plying there buses due to less people travelling being holidays at their workplace. Yes of course there are some Goans who think owing a vehicle gives them some status in society, although they can't afford the petrol to use it daily. We must forget the compulsion of a night weddings which are a trend these days.
ReplyDeleteI am sure the vehicle population in Goa has increased in the last CCP elections as motorcycles were freely distributed by the criminals to the criminals for conducting criminal activities, as was reported by the Goan press.
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