Team Herald

VASCO: The Dabolim international airport may witness drama on Monday over the issue of new car rental counter. 

Anticipating law and order problems the South Goa district administration has been gearing up for anticipated trouble by the airport taxi operators who have threatened to stop the operations of new car rental counter if they try to provide point to point service to the passengers from Monday. 

A high-level joint meeting of all stakeholders to ascertain the preparedness of law-enforcing agencies and to convince the aggrieved airport taxi operators was also held at the office of Deputy Collector Mormugao.  

According to the information, United Taximen Association (UTA) had raised strong objections against the opening up new taxi counter by Delhi-based Taj India Tours, the highest bidder which was allotted the counter at the airport after entering into agreement with Airport Authority of India (AAI), Goa Airport. 

Since the application of Taj Tours seeking licence to operate car rental counter remained pending before Regional Transport Authority (RTA), the party then approached High Court citing losses due to delay in granting permission. After hearing the concerned parties HC passed an order in favour of Taj Tours. Following HC order RTA issued permission to Taj Tours for operating car rental (maxi cab) services at airport and the party is now all set to start the business from Monday.

“The joint meeting was called as there are apprehensions of law and order problems due to commencement of new car rental counter at the airport from Monday. During the meeting the UTA objected saying that the licence given to Taj Tours was for rent-a-car,” deputy collector Mormugao Mahadev Arundekar said. 

When asked about the arrangements made by the State administration for Monday, Arunderkar warned, “If somebody threatens, then, we cannot keep quite. We have made all necessary arrangements for Monday and the law will take its own course as we cannot allow anyone to take law into their own hands.”

AAI officials, however, refused to make any comment on the issue.