The Sirsaim Tourist Taxi Association organized a rally at Thivim railway station on Thursday, urging Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant to address their long-standing demands of permanent status and more Taxi permits at Thivim station. The association has been waiting for 20 years for permanent status. Taxi owners are seeking an increase in Yellow/Black Permits and the establishment of a new Yellow/Black Taxi counter at Thivim Railway Station.
During the meeting, members of the association emphasized that some taxi operators from Sirsaim have been operating Tourist Taxis for over twenty years. Despite that they still don’t have any legal right to operate Tourist Taxi at Thivim Railway Station. They stressed the urgent need for these rights to be granted to ensure fair and legal operation of their services.
Additionally, the association highlighted the necessity of establishing a taxi counter at Thivim Railway Station due to the significant influx of tourists. Currently, only Thivim-based taxi operators are permitted to serve tourists at the station, leading to lengthy waiting times for passengers. Tourists often wait up to an hour for taxis to return after dropping off passengers, creating inconvenience and frustration.
Despite efforts to address these concerns, including multiple letters sent to Union Minister Shripad Naik, no action has been taken thus far. As a result, the taxi operators have now appealed directly to the Chief Minister of Goa to intervene and resolve the issue promptly.
The rally at Thivim railway station served as a public demonstration of the taxi association’s determination to secure their rights and ensure efficient service for tourists and residents alike. Their call for a permanent solution underscores the importance of addressing longstanding grievances to improve the transportation infrastructure and support the local tourism industry.
