PANJIM: The fitment of digital taxi meters slowed down during the election season as only around 400 new tourist taxis were fitted with the meters in the two months.
As on January 10, 2022, 8,792 tourist cabs were fitted with the meters; figures which stood at 5,732 till November 27, 2021. In his submission before the High Court of Bombay at Goa on Monday that comes in response to ongoing hearing into a contempt plea filed by Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG), Transport Department said a total of 9,001 taxis are fitted with the meters while around 67 vehicles have booked the slot for affixation of these digital meters.
“This exercise of fitting digital meters to the 67 vehicles can be completed even within a month from today,” Advocate General Devidas Pangam told the Division Bench of Justice M S Sonak and Justice R N Laddha.
The contractor, assigned the contract, has confirmed the position.
The total number of fitments, which was 1,247 as on September 17, 2021, increased to 5,732 as on November 27, 2021. After two months it further increased to 8,792 as recorded on January 10, 2022.
With an approx 11,000 tourist taxis plying on the roads, around 2,000 have are yet to have meters despite government made it mandatory. The TTAG, that sought complete implementation of the order, which saw a considerable delay owing to opposition from the taxi operators, urged for immediate installation of meters. “We have requested the department for immediate implementation of the digital meters. The department should also keep a check on the use of the meters and ensure that the balance tourist taxi operators also heed to the order. It is a transparent way of functioning and all the concerned should adhere to it,” said TTAG President Nilesh Shah while speaking to Herald.
In the court, AG reiterated government’s stand that vehicles operating without digital meters will not be permitted to ply on the roads and neither renewal of permits will be allowed.
Meanwhile, the high court has adjourned the petition for further hearing on June 13.
