MARGAO
As the tourist taxi war between the local taxi operators and outside taxis flared up in Varca during the weekend, calls have been given to shut down the hotels which are not cooperating with the local taxi drivers to transport hotel guests.
Varca-based social worker Warren Alemao has warned that patience of the tourist taxi operators and the people is running out, asserting that no outside taxi will be permitted to collect guests from the hotels.
Accusing the hotel managements for acting in connivance with the outside taxi operators, Warren warned these hotels not to play with the sentiments of the locals eking a living on the tourist trade, saying he will lead the taxi operators in staging dharnas in front of the hotels not cooperating with the local taxi operators.
“There’s a new trend happening in Goa wherein Niz Goemkars are being painted as taxi mafia. The media should think twice before giving this tag because these local operators are eking a living on the trade and supporting their families”, he said.
Saying the local taxi operators are not against Goa Miles, Warren said there is a private taxi operator from Margao, having a fleet of vehicles, who is creating these problems for the local tourist taxi operators. “Five days ago, the hotel management had agreed to hold a meeting with the Front desk to ensure they do not call outside taxis. Our patience is running out. The situation is going out of control. They have now accused the local operators for extortion. We suspect there is a hidden agenda to bring another taxi group in the business”, he said.
