Team Herald
MARGAO: Local taxi operators from Varca have issued stern warnings to hotel managements and authorities over the increasing presence of outside taxi operators and app-based services in the coastal village, claiming these external operators are depriving them of their
livelihood.
At the centre of the dispute are taxi operators serving hotels, who allege that hotel managements are colluding with taxi app aggregators, allowing outside drivers to pick up guests while local operators remain idle. The operators expressed particular concern about a newer, unnamed taxi app that has recently gained traction in the area.
While speaking to reporters, Jose Afonso, a former Varca sarpanch, said taxi drivers from outside Varca collect hotel guests right under the nose of local taxi operators, making it difficult for them to eke out a living. "Even when the hotel customers book taxis of local operators, they are later cancelled as outside taxis come and pick them up. This only goes to show the hand of the hotel managements in support of outside taxis," he said.
Afonso added that these hotels had established themselves through the blessings and support of local Varca villagers after promising to provide employment opportunities, including taxi services. "I know that these hotels had come after promises made by the managements to support local unemployed youth," he stated.
While speaking to the media, another tourist taxi operator, Britto Fernandes, echoed similar sentiments, saying that they hardly get any business with outside taxis picking up the hotel guests.
The situation has reportedly escalated to include intimidation tactics. Local operators allege that outside taxi drivers are carrying weapons such as knives and swords in their vehicles. "The management is hand in glove with these private taxi operators. It's high time the authorities take strict action to prevent further inconvenience and possible violence," local operators stated.
Taking up cudgels for the Varca tourist taxi operators, local activist Warren Alemao said the outside taxi operators are the real mafia as they come and deny business to the local operators. "The patience of the local tourist taxi operators is running out. Just imagine that these outside taxi drivers are carrying weapons with them. The government should intervene to protect the interests of the locals," he added.
The operators are demanding enforcement of existing agreements that mandate dedicated taxi stands for local drivers at hotels and have warned that if their concerns aren't addressed promptly, they may resort to more ‘direct action’, including potentially blocking hotel gates.