Team Herald
PANJIM: The State government on Friday filed an affidavit before the High Court of Bombay at Goa stating that the tourist taxis cannot be allotted a counter at the Dabolim international airport.
The affidavit was filed while replying to the writ petition filed by Gurudas Parab, on behalf of Tourist taxi Union of Vasco seeking directions to the authorities to allot a counter at the airport.
Advocate General Devidas Pangam told the Court that it is not possible for the State to make arrangement of a counter or part counter to be made available for the Tourist taxis Union at the Dabolim airport. It is not valid as per the conditions of the permit issued to these taxis, he said adding that the tourist taxis cannot park their vehicles at a fixed stand and need to be available on mobile, due to congestion at the airport.
“They should be available on phone for hire,” the AG said.
The Court will further hear the petition on November 24. It may be recalled that the Tourist Taxi Union of Vasco through its President Gurudas Parab has filed a petition in 2018 praying for allotment of a counter at the Dabolim airport.
The court had earlier asked the government to see whether it was possible to bifurcate the counter so that the petitioner and persons similarly situated can operate to provide information to the customers.
The State government recently allotted a counter for GoaMiles taxi services at the airport, which was opposed by the taxi operators of Goa. Now, with the government filing an affidavit denying a counter to the tourist taxis the issue is likely to heat up across the State.
