the goan I network
VASCO
The new car rental counter operated by Taj India Tours was inaugurated by Airport Director B C H Negi amidst tense moments and protests from taximen on Monday morning.
A strong police force was present at Dabolim Airport on Monday to prevent any untoward incident and to mantain law and order situation as the new car rental counter was opened.
Around 350 members of United Taximen Union (UTU), who manage black yellow taxis at Dabolim Airport had gathered near the Multi-level park, but decided that they would not engage in any violence and would only point out to illegalities at the Airport premises.
Speaking to reporters on Monday morning, UTU President Sanjay Naik said he was surprised by the strong police presence, despite assurances that their agitation would be peaceful.
As flights began to arrive at the airport, UTU members went towards their counter at the airport and a strong battalion of police moved near the new car rental counter.
Fearing law and order problem, Dy Collector Mahadev Arondekar arrived at the airport along with Addl Collector (South) Agnelo Fernandes.
Arondekar held talks with UTU members and requested them to maintain peace and UTU members assured not to agitate as long as the new counter did not provide taxi service by offering passengers point-to-point services.
Situation at the airport got tense after flights began arriving and a car from the newly opened counter left with its first passenger.
The car was immediately noticed by UTU members who objected as it was not a Maxi Cab with 7 plus 1 arrangements, as prescribed under the Motor Vehicles Act.
The UTU members then put forth their objections to Arondekar and said the car was not rented to a passenger, but offered passengers a point-to-point service.
The UTU members also brought it to the notice of RTO Dy Director Prahlad Desai, who was also at the site.
UTU claimed that the first car, a 6-seater car, used by the new counter did not have 7 plus 1 capacity prescribed by the motor vehicles act for Maxicabs.
They also accused Taj India Tours of going against its promise of not offering point-to-point services, as assured on an earlier occasion during a meeting at the Deputy Collector’s office on Saturday.
While UTU members were trying to block the car, the vehicle moved out under police protection.
Arondekar later assured that no cars besides Maxicab would be permitted to leave the airport with passengers from the new counter.
