The Goa Forward Party (GFP), under the leadership of its President and Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai, has sharply criticised the state government for implementing the newly announced Goa Transport Aggregator Guidelines 2025 without engaging key stakeholders, especially traditional taxi operators. Following a meeting with a delegation of concerned taxi operators, Sardesai accused the government of breaking its earlier promise made in the Legislative Assembly to include stakeholders in decisions that significantly impact the taxi sector.
Expressing deep skepticism over the government's history with transport reforms, Sardesai questioned whether the new guidelines were crafted to serve the interests of certain ministers and private suppliers rather than the local taxi community. He also highlighted the lack of transparency regarding the number of aggregators permitted to operate in Goa, warning that an unchecked entry of external operators could erode the state’s distinct tourism identity.
Sardesai emphasized that the primary beneficiaries of Goa’s tourism industry should be the local population. He asserted that traditional Goan taxi drivers, with their intimate knowledge of the state’s culture and geography, are best suited to serve tourists and should not be sidelined. While recognizing the importance of keeping transportation services affordable and competitive, he stressed that these goals must not come at the cost of local livelihoods.
Reaffirming GFP’s support for local stakeholders, Sardesai promised that the party would thoroughly examine the new policy and formally submit objections and recommendations to the government to safeguard the interests of Goa’s traditional taxi operators.