VASCO: Mormugao United Group from Headland Sada has demanded that the tender for allotting taxi counter at Harbour cruise terminal be floated properly. The group has alleged that the existing taxi counter at the cruise terminal does not have permission from the government authorities.
Briefing reporters here, Group’s leader Suraj (Balan) Chodankar alleged that the taxi counter operating at the Harbour cruise terminal is illegal as it does not have permissions from competent authorities. “In this regard, we have filed a written complaint at the Bogda police station, but till date there has been no investigation or action on the illegal taxi counter,” he complained.
Chodankar also alleged that taxi counter was charging exorbitant fees from the taxis and buses. He also alleged that the taxi counter does not pay any tax to the government.
Chodankar said that he complained to Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho against the taxi counter operating at the harbour and that the Minister has assured to call a joint multi agency meeting this month to resolve this issue. “If the issue is not resolved at the meeting, the minister assured to retender the taxi counter by abolishing the existing system,” Chodankar added.
Taxi operator Vishant Naik stated that there was a taxi counter few years back which was shut down. “The present counter is illegal and does not have permission from the authorities,” he claimed.
Naik also alleged that the existing taxi union is forcibly charging fee, at the taxi counter at the cruise terminal. He demanded that Transport Minister and Chief Minister look into the matter and float a tender for the taxi counter.
Mahadev Kavlekar, a taxi operator from Bogmalo, alleged that a group of taxi operators are controlling the taxi fare business at cruise terminal.
He also alleged that some taxi operators at the cruise terminal charge taxi fare in dollars and this brings bad name to the tourism and among overseas tourists.
Kavlekar also opined that if such business continues, then, slowly tourists will stop coming adversely affecting the taxi operators as they will have no business in the near future.
