MOPA: Taxi operators from Pernem protesting outside the Manohar International Airport (MIA) demanding a counter for Yellow and Black taxis at the airport withdrew their protest following a written assurance from the government.
Defying the imposition of Section 144 CrPC, the taximen claimed that local MLA Pravin Arlekar had assured them that a notification regarding the counter will be issued by 5 pm on Thursday. The only thing they will have to do is to change the colour of their taxis to blue. Though the Transport Department issued a notice in the newspapers, the taximen from Pernem stood firm for a written assurance that a counter will be opened at the airport.
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The taximen later marched to Arlekar’s residence in Pernem demanding an exclusive Yellow and Black taxi counter at the airport.
Leaders of the taximen told mediapersons that they would continue with their agitation till the government notified the counter at the airport.
Sudip Tamankar said, “There is no agreement between the government and the taxi operators. Pednekars do not want a limited number of taxis to operate from the Mopa airport and all taxi operators in Pernem taluka should be allowed to operate. We will continue our protest till a Yellow and Black taxi counter is allotted to taxi operators from Pernem taluka as per Motor Vehicle Act.”
Earlier, Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho said that the State government has decided to introduce blue taxis at the airport for the convenience of passengers. “These cabs will be exclusively owned by Pernem taluka residents where the airport is located,” he said.
In addition to the blue taxis, the airport will also have taxis affiliated to Goa Miles app and those registered under the State-run Goa Taxi App, he said.
Godinho said that the local taxi operators had demanded Yellow and Black taxi permits for them at the airport, which is not possible, due to which the State government decided to introduce blue taxis for them.
He said that the blue taxis will be a perfect fit for a tourist State like Goa.
In the evening, the Director of Transport Rajan Satardekar handed over a copy of the written assurance to protestors. He said that the blue cab pre-paid taxi service counter at the new airport will be have identical terms including fares.
Following the written assurance the taxi operators called off their protest.
After withdrawing their protest, a leader of taxi operators Uday Mahale said that they didn’t want to spoil any show or become a problem as they wanted justice and their rightful counter.
