FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s repeated statement of starting app-based taxis in Goa by November evoked surprise, even within the Tourism Department, since it already has an existing contract with an app-based service provider.
“Tourism department is not involved in the new app taxi plan since we already have a contract with one operator,” said a senior official.
However, it is learnt that the remark and reiteration is likely to be linked to the multi-modular mobility plan for the Mopa airport.
Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho on Thursday said that the government will not budge due to the pressure of the taxi operators and introduce the App based taxi service in the State soon. The government will also start Multi-Modular Transport, all app-based.
After visiting the Mopa international airport, poised to be commissioned soon, Mauvin said, “At Mopa international airport we will provide choice to travellers either to choose pre-paid or app-based taxi or rent-a-car service. We will introduce Multi-Modular Transport which will be app-based for the convenience of the travellers.”
The Minister also clarified that the app taxi service will be under the department of transport and not with the department of tourism like in the past. “It is my domain,” he said.
Earlier, he held a meeting which was attended by Secretary (Transport) Subhash Chandra, GMR Goa International Airport Limited (GGIAL) Chief Executive Officer R V Sheshan, Director of Transport Rajan Satardekar and other officials of government and GGIAL.
