PERNEM: Three taxi associations – Greenfield Mopa Airport Taxi Association, Mopa Airport Local Taxi Association and Mopa Airport Taxi Association – have come together and have formed a forum under the banner of ‘Together for Mopa Airport’ (TMA), opposing app-based taxi service. The forum alleged that the State government is trying to create a divide between the taxi owners from Pernem and Mopa and have scheduled mega protest on Monday, January 2.
They also reiterated that they will stick to their demands of opposing the app and continue batting for the counter for yellow-black taxis at Mopa airport.
TMA has confirmed that taxi owners from Mandrem constituency are supporting them and they will be part of the mega protest that they have called on January 2 in opposing the Goa Taxi app and their demand for yellow-black taxi counter at Mopa airport.
“We have called for a Mega protest on January 2, demanding a yellow-black taxi stand at the Mopa airport and for the government’s failure to protect the people’s interests,” President of Greenfield Mopa Airport Taxi Association, Uday Mahale said.
The association has convened several corner meetings across Pernem.
“Goa government would introduce an app-based taxi service by taking all the stakeholders into confidence but we do not want app-based taxi service. We will not allow app-based service. If app-based taxi service is introduced, taxi operators from across Goa will come there,” he further stated.
Stating that the taxi owners are fighting for their rights as per the law, Mahale said, “While buying the land, former CM Parrikar had promised us jobs and business opportunities but as soon as he got the land, he sold it to GMR. Today we are deprived of our own rights. The state government has forced us to take this decision to go on protest.”
Sudip Tamhankar said, “The government is only creating confusion amongst the taxi owners over operation of taxis at the new airport by releasing advertisements for registration of taxis with GTDC as well as making statements about app based taxi. There is no clarity over transportation facilities which will be made available at this airport as well as ignoring their demand of having a yellow-black taxi counter as per the Motor Vehicle Act.”
