“Goa’s roads are not designed for reckless driving. Village roads are narrow. Residential areas are densely populated. Pedestrians, cyclists and two wheeler riders share limited road space with larger vehicles. Yet one frequently encounters tourists speeding through villages, overtaking dangerously and driving with little regard for local conditions. The result is a growing list of avoidable accidents.
The issue is not the Thar itself. Thousands of responsible owners across India drive these vehicles safely every day. The problem arises when powerful SUVs are handed over to inexperienced or irresponsible drivers without adequate oversight. If vehicles are being rented out without permits, insurance compliance and proper monitoring, the danger becomes even greater.”
Every few weeks, Goa wakes up to reports of another horrific road accident. More often than not, the vehicle involved is a Mahindra Thar. Some crashes result in serious injuries. Others end in tragedy, leaving families devastated and communities searching for answers. While no vehicle should be singled out as the sole culprit, the recurring appearance of Thars in accident reports has become impossible to ignore.
What is even more alarming is that many of these vehicles are reportedly being used by tourists as self drive rentals despite not possessing valid rent-a-cab permits. This points to a much larger problem than reckless driving alone. It suggests a breakdown in regulation and enforcement that has allowed an informal and largely unregulated vehicle rental ecosystem to flourish.
The Thar has become the vehicle of choice for many visitors seeking adventure and social media appeal. Its rugged look and powerful performance make it attractive to tourists wanting to explore Goa. However, many of these drivers are unfamiliar with local roads, traffic conditions and driving practices. Some arrive with a holiday mindset where caution takes a back seat to excitement. The combination of powerful SUVs, alcohol consumption and irresponsible behaviour is proving deadly.
Goa’s roads are not designed for reckless driving. Village roads are narrow. Residential areas are densely populated. Pedestrians, cyclists and two wheeler riders share limited road space with larger vehicles. Yet one frequently encounters tourists speeding through villages, overtaking dangerously and driving with little regard for local conditions. The result is a growing list of avoidable accidents.
The issue is not the Thar itself. Thousands of responsible owners across India drive these vehicles safely every day. The problem arises when powerful SUVs are handed over to inexperienced or irresponsible drivers without adequate oversight. If vehicles are being rented out without permits, insurance compliance and proper monitoring, the danger becomes even greater.
Authorities must ask difficult questions. How many private vehicles are being commercially rented in violation of the law? How many operators are functioning outside the regulatory framework? How many accidents have involved vehicles that were never authorised to operate as rent-a-cabs in the first place?
The government cannot afford to treat this as a minor administrative lapse. Illegal rental operations undermine legitimate businesses, evade regulatory safeguards and place lives at risk. Enforcement agencies should launch a comprehensive crackdown on private vehicles being used for commercial rental purposes. Regular inspections, document verification drives and strict penalties are necessary to deter violators.
Technology can also help. Tourist vehicles operating for commercial purposes should be registered, tracked and subject to compliance requirements. Repeat offenders should face vehicle seizure and cancellation of licences where warranted. At the same time, police must intensify checks against drunken driving, overspeeding and dangerous driving, particularly in tourist belts and during weekends.
Rental operators, whether legal or illegal, cannot escape responsibility. Profit cannot be allowed to outweigh public safety. Every operator who hands over a powerful vehicle to an irresponsible driver shares part of the moral responsibility when tragedy follows.
Tourism remains the lifeblood of Goa’s economy and visitors are always welcome. But tourism cannot become a licence for lawlessness. Residents have the right to feel safe on their roads. Parents should not fear for their children while crossing a street. Villages should not become racetracks for thrill seeking visitors.
Many Goans have begun describing the Thar as the new “Yamraj” on the state’s roads. The description may be harsh, but it reflects a growing public anxiety. In truth, the real Yamraj is not the vehicle. It is the deadly combination of illegal rentals, weak enforcement, drunken driving and reckless behaviour.
Unless authorities act decisively, Goa will continue to count the cost in lost lives. The next tragedy is not a question of if, but when.
