MARGAO
In a move that has raised hopes among Goan tourist taxi operators of securing taxi business at the India Energy Week, to be hosted by ONGC in Betul from January 26 to 31, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has instructed ONGC officials to meet representatives of local taxi operators to ensure that the taxi business for the upcoming event does not go to operators from outside the State.
In fact, taxi union leader Savio told media that the chief minister has assured a delegation of local taxi operators that he would order seizure of the outside vehicles and arrest of the drivers if they are hired by the organisers.
A delegation of taxi operators led by Savio and others formally lodged their objection before the South Goa District Collector and handed over a memorandum, formally objecting to the use of commercial vehicles from other States for the India Energy Week.
After handing over the memorandum, Savio thanked Sawant for his bold stand that only taxis of Goan operators should be hired for the India Energy Week. “We thank the chief minister for his stand that will give Goan taxi operators some business during the event.
We also thank Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa, Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas and MLA Viresh Borkar for supporting our cause”, he said.
Savio further made a fervent plea to the chief minister to resolve all outstanding issues plaguing the Goan tourist taxi operators at the earliest.
In the petition submitted to the South Goa district Collector, the taxi operators formally expressed strong objection regarding commercial vehicles arrangements for the upcoming India Energy Week.
Saying that a significant number of commercial vehicles from outside the state have been contracted for the transport of guests, equipment, and staff, they said this decision overlooks the local ecosystem and poses several concerns for the community. “The Betul-Canacona belt, has a robust network of local transport operators and taxi unions who depend on such high-profile events for their primary income. Bypassing local providers in favour of outside commercial fleets is a significant blow to the local economy”, the operators stated.
They further pointed out that local drivers possess intimate knowledge of the narrow roads, internal routes, and traffic patterns unique to South Goa. “Utilizing outside drivers who are unfamiliar with the terrain increases the risk of traffic congestion and safety hazards during such a high-traffic period”, they said, adding that bringing in a large number commercial vehicles from outside will create unnecessary friction with the local residents and transport associations who are already bearing the brunt of the increased activity in the area.
“As a major public sector undertaking, ONGC has a responsibility to ensure that its operations benefit the host community”, the taxi operators said, while calling upon the ONGC to reconsider these contracts and prioritize local transport vendors for the duration of the event.
