PANJIM: The State government has decided to go ahead with digital meters and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) in taxis in Goa.
Confirming this, Transport Department officials said the decision is the first step and its implementation will begin after the petition on the issue, which is being heard in the High Court of Bombay at Goa, is disposed.
“Since the decision has been taken we have to revive the notification, we have to make sure that substandard meters and GPS are not installed,” an officer said.
He added, “We will prescribe certain minimum standards which have to be fulfilled, like the systems should be approved by weights and measures and should have an approval certificate from some central agency.”
He said the department is currently studying existing digital meters so that people will be free to purchase the systems and install them.
“It needs a holistic approach. Just implementation won’t solve the purpose. GPS reading has to be collated somewhere and that is also under consideration,” an officer said.
“The department welcomes the decision of the government. There has been a movement from civil society and representation from tourists for the installation of taxi meters. We will be implementing it once the petition in HC is disposed,” the officer said.
