PANJIM: In a New Year shocker to taxi owners, Transport Minister Ramkrishna (Sudin) Dhavalikar said that taxi meters, speed governors, HSRP and global positioning systems will be made compulsory by March.
Addressing the media, Dhavalikar said, “There was some delay in the tendering process but by March we want to implement these things.” He said the implementation is as per the Central government directive. “If there is a change at Centre it will be a different story but as of now all this will be compulsory,” he added.
The minister said that the GPS should also be made compulsory for private vehicles. “I urge private vehicles owners to opt for GPS as in case of accident they can be located easily,” he said.
He further said that in a bid to check corruption, the department will start automated driving licence and vehicle passing process. “In the New Year we will also take up works of new bus stands Panjim besides Transport Bhavan, Vasco Bus Stand, Margao, Mapusa, Bicholim, Curchorem,” he said. He disclosed Ponda will have a state of the art bus-port, under MoRST scheme.
In a bid to curb pollution, Transport Department will encourage e-vehicles in the State. “We will sign an agreement with NTPC, a government PSU, under which we will buy 100 e-buses from them and in return they will set up charging stations for rickshaw, light vehicles, two wheelers at bus stands and fuel pumps,” Dhavalikar said.
Dhavalikar said the move was necessary as even though e-vehicles are up for sale there is no demand as there are no facilities for charging.
Dhavalikar also said he has sought an appointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to resolve the mining issue. “I have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modiji about the effects of mining closure in Goa and I have sought an appointment with him in the next 15 days,” Dhavalikar said.
He added, “I have also asked PM to compensate us for Rs 3500 cr mining revenue loss due to the Supreme Court verdict, so that we can take care of mining dependants.”
