Taxi operators from Vasco on Sunday is sued a 15-day ultimatum to authorities, demanding immediate business at the Mormugao cruise terminal and a dedicated taxi stand. They threatened to launch a major protest to seek business and make a living if the authorities failed to meet their demands. The delegation compris ing several local taxi own ers and drivers met Vasco MLA Krishna ‘Daji’ Salkar and Mormugao Municipal Council Chairperson Girish Borker and stated that they were struggling to sustain their livelihood as private operators and outsiders were being favoured while local taxi operators were sidelined in the business at the cruise terminal. The taxi operators stated that it was high time the State government recog nised their long-standing service to the port town and ensured that they were given a fair share of the cruise-related business. “We have been serving the port town for decades and have stood by the tourism sector even dur ing difficult times. Today, everyone else is reaping the benefits while locals are sidelined. We only seek our rightful place, not charity,” said one of the taxi owners.
They complained that the private bus operators were en croaching on their customer base at the Vasco railway sta tion thereby causing financial strain to many taxi drivers. They demanded that authorities should notify a proper and dedicated taxi stand in Vasco to streamline their operations and prevent conflict with other modes of transport. Another taxi owner informed that they had served a 15-day ultimatum to the authorities and if they fail to act then the taxi operators will chalk out their next plan of action. However, he ruled out taxi owners and driv ers protesting on the road. “We will not come on roads but we will launch a strong protest to seek business and make a living.” Salkar assured the delegation operators that he will take up their issues at the highest level and with the Chief Min ister and get them readdressed. “I understand their hard ships and I will work towards a practical solution,” he said. The MLA warned that stern action would be taken against rent-a-bike and rent-a-car operators illegally parking their vehicles in and around Vasco and denying parking spaces to others. “These services have to function within the Mo tor Vehicle rules. But they are violating norms or causing inconvenience to other operators and locals. They will face action,” he thundered. Mormugao chairperson Girish Borker assured the taxi operators that the council had already identified a suitable location in Vasco for construction of a new taxi stand. “The council is now working on finalising the necessary permis sions and once it is completed, it will streamline the taxi operations,” he added.
