MARGAO
The ongoing battle between tourist taxi operators from Salcete coastal belt and the GoaMiles flared up once again.
In fact, MLA Venzy Viegas along with a delegation of tourist taxi operators from Benaulim constituency called on Sub-divisional Police Officer DySP Sandesh Chodankar to lodge a complaint against GoaMiles taxi service for picking up customers from the hotels.
Venzy has warned that the tourist taxi operators will not keep quiet if the authorities do not rein on the GoaMiles taxi service, saying they will weigh various options, including the legal option to protect the rights of the local operators.
After coming out of a meeting with DySP Sandesh Chodankar and other police officials, the Benaulim MLA charged GoaMiles for dropping customers at the hotels and stand outside to pick up the customers.
“We have seen the GoaMiles taxis wait near the Colva Church and at other places along the coastal belt to pick up the hotel customers. This is blatantly illegal. We have told the police and other authorities to stop GoaMiles taxis from picking up the customers. We don’t want a law and order situation, but we will also not keep quiet if this continues”, Venzy said.
He added: "The DySP has been very cooperative and gave us a patient hearing. What is unacceptable is that the GoaMiles is taking away the business of the local operators. This should stop immediately”.
A tourist taxi operator C Vernekar said the local tourist operators are facing problems because the GoaMiles taxis do the pick up of customers, denying the locals the business.
“We will not tolerate any such illegalities. We want the authorities to work out a solution”, he demanded.
