PANJIM: Transport Minister Ramkrishna (Sudin) Dhavalikar has turned down the possibility of app-based taxi services like Ola and Uber starting in Goa. He said Goa is a small area and does not require such services.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Dhavalikar said that app-based taxi services are at a loss and if the government promotes them than the State will also have problems. “I have studied the matter. I feel Ola and Uber are in losses everywhere. We will be in trouble if we promote them,” the Minister said.
The minister’s statement came even as the travel and tourism body has demanded that app-based taxi services be introduced in Goa. Travel and Tourism Association of Goa, and local Goans, have also made separate representations to the State government to allow app-based taxi services in Goa.
A few years ago when Ola attempted to launch its services in the State, taxi unions objected to it by going on a two-day strike, arguing that their livelihoods would be affected if external players were permitted an entry into the market. The government relented to the pressure and conceded to their demands.
