Team Herald
PANJIM: The Transport Department is set to commence the installation of the much-awaited digital fare meters in tourist taxis across four major locations from Thursday. The implementation comes after several postponements owing to protest from taxi operators, who demanded that Goa government should first scrap the existence of GoaMiles app-based cab service in Goa.
In its latest notice, the department cited the High Court’s order dated May 6, directing the implementation of the fitment of taxi meters within 15 days of its order.
The Transport Department has assigned four locations at Bordem-Bicholim; Merces; Navelim and Dabolim for executing the installation process.
The taxi operators are already asked to make the payment of Rs 11,234 (including one-year free maintenance and online monitoring charges and GST) and schedule fitment of the meters with automotive tracking device-emergency system-printer by June 30 failing which their permits will be cancelled.
The department has also scheduled the final fitment deadline as per the series of the vehicle registration numbers. For vehicles with ‘registration number ending with (last number) or before permit renewal) 0 or 1, the meters must be installed between July 1 and July 24, 2021 whereas for numbers with 2 or 3, the meters should be installed between July 26 and August 18, 2021. For registration number ending with 4 or 5, the dates are from August 19 to September 11, 2021; numbers 6 or 7 has deadline for installation from September 13 to October 6, 2021, and for registration digits 8 or 9, the meters must be installed from October 7 to October 30, 2021. On failing to get the meters installed, the department has warned to cancel their permits on the very next day of the deadline.
Upon fixing the device, the taxi operators are asked to visit the respective offices of Legal Metrology Department for certification.
