Yamraj, Yamdoots on the roads of Goa, ban all self-drive rent-a-car services: Shreha Dhargalkar

PANAJI: Reacting to the recent accident deaths on the roads of Goa, social activist Shreha Dhargalkar has called for an immediate ban on the services offered by self-drive rent-a-car operators who do not undertake due diligence while renting out their vehicles to tourists.

“Tourists coming to Goa rent out cars at very nominal rates without proper verification or deposit and drive recklessly (mostly after consuming alcohol) on the roads in Goa. Several accidents and deaths have taken place in the last few days due to accidents and most of them are due to reckless driving. Rent-a-car vehicles driven by drunk tourists are a common occurrence and hence I think this service should be banned immediately,” Shreha said, adding that the rent-a-cars are like yamraj (referring to the god of death) moving on the roads in the tourist state.

A recklessly driven rent-a-car collided with a motorcycle on the old Mandovi bridge while overtaking, sending the rider flying in the air and causing him to fall into the Mandovi river on Thursday.

The lifeless body of the victim Javed Sadekar from Aldona who worked with a casino was found in the Mandovi river on Saturday.

Eyewitnesses said the car heading towards Porvorim attempted a reckless overtake manoeuvre around 5.15 pm, resulting in a head-on collision with the oncoming motorcycle travelling towards Panaji.

Tests revealed that the driver was driving under the influence of alcohol and has been arrested by the Panaji police. Other two accidents on the same day claimed two more lives on the roads of Goa.