Taxi drivers operating at Mopa Airport have voiced their frustration over the closure of the blue taxi counter, an issue that has persisted despite several attempts to resolve it over the past two to three years. The protest, which took place today, saw taxi drivers parking their vehicles at the market and holding a meeting at the office of the magistrate.
The meeting, attended by MLA Praveen Arlekar, Deputy District Officer, magistrate, traffic officer, and taxi drivers, was a critical moment in the ongoing struggle. During the meeting, MLA Arlekar assured that the issue would be resolved. However, former Pedne BJP Mandal President Tulsidas Gavas expressed dissatisfaction, pointing out that the issue had been raised multiple times with local authorities, including the MLA and GMR, but no concrete steps had been taken to address it.
Gavas criticized the lack of proper attention from the local MLA in resolving the matter and emphasized that the people of Pedne were frustrated. He stated, "Since our local MLA is not addressing this issue properly, this situation keeps arising again and again. We stand with the people of Pedne, and the Chief Minister must immediately intervene and resolve this issue."
Taxi drivers have made it clear that if the government continues to ignore their concerns, they will not hesitate to show their displeasure at the polls. They also warned that if the closure of the taxi counter continues without resolution, it will have repercussions in the upcoming elections.
The protest highlights the growing discontent among the local taxi community over what they see as a lack of action and accountability from both the local MLA and the authorities involved in the matter.