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The government announced on Friday that it intended to commence the
installation of digital meters in taxis soon. They expected this exercise to be
completed in six month. The Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho, in a written
reply, informed the House the government has amended rules for fitment of
digital meters to all the vehicles providing taxi services in the state. This
is commendable news but will it really happen? The government had made similar
promises in the past and nothing came out of it. So will this be any different?
Nilesh Shah President
TTAG expressed the hope things would be different this time. He said “This
problem has to be tackled if the government is keen on streamlining the tourism
industry. The government is even offering free meters do I hope this
announcement will lead to some positive action. This move will not only benefit
tourists, it will encourage locals to use taxis. I feel the locals will use it
much more if the system is in place. I am keeping my fingers crossed.”
Ernest Dias VP Kuoni
Travel India who has been a critic of the current state of affairs said “I will
say better late than never. But I hope implementation will happen soon. This
will bring transparency in the taxi business which has been suspect for a long
time”.
This issue has
bedeviled the industry for years with promises being made by the parties
concerned. Serrafin Cotta who heads the body The Small and Medium Hotel Owners
Association said it all depended on the MLA’s on the coastal belt and how they
handled the political situation. He said that was where the decision had to be
taken. He ended by saying too much had been said about this issue and it was time
action was initiated to ensure everyone benefited positively.
Aloo Gomes Pereira
veteran of the tourism industry was willing to give the government the benefit
of the doubt. He said “Let’s wait and see, the CM has promised to provide free
metres to everyone. It’s all in the hands of the government. We should know
where we stand shortly I hope. ”
Savio Messias
hotelier and former President of TTAG however was in mood to be assuaged by a
statement made in the legislature. He said “We had filed a third contempt
petition against the Govt 15 days ago because they have been constantly been
assuring the court that meters would be installed and even giving timelines. On
two occasions the judge closed the matter because the govt gave dates when they
would begin the fixing of meters but it has not happened. The govt has been
making many statement and we hope it happens. This statement is the latest
instance. This issue has to be sorted out. This will benefit tourism
tremendously if the metres are installed.” He said it was important that even
if the meters were installed, it would be important that internet access be
available. If that was not available the problem would persist. Savio ended by
saying he was hoping for the best.
One can only hope the government follows up its words with
action. This could change the experience of people coming over to Goa
dramatically.
