Although the Manohar International Airport at Mopa has been inaugurated over one month ago, the local taxi operators are still left in the lurch. No taxi counter has been allocated to them for yellow-black taxi operations. They have now demanded that the promised taxi counter be given to them at the Mopa airport within two days, otherwise, they will protest in front of Pernem Mamlatdar’s office on February 14.
The ‘Yellow-Black’ taxis or the newly pitched ‘Blue’ taxis could have proved to be handy to fill in for the gap in taxis. Assistant Director of Transport Francisco Vaz said, “400 taxis left from Mopa airport on Wednesday. Though it is in the initial stages, there will be a requirement for more taxis later on.”
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When asked about the counter for yellow, black taxis he said, “The process is underway.” However, taxi associations from Pernem who have been asking for a counter, have complained that the government is deliberately delaying their request.
Suresh Parab, President of the Together for Mopa Taxi Union said “Nearly 1200 persons from Pernem have applied for taxi permits for Mopa airport but the authorities are not processing the applications.”
“While we are being made to wait for the permits, the Road Transport Office is giving out permits to non-Goan firms for vehicles. They are opening counters at the Airport and are operating like a fish market,” Parab said.
