PANAJI
In the non-stop blame game over the cruise fiasco at Mormugao port, Goa Police has maintained its stand that lack of communication provoked tension between the cruise operators and taxi drivers.
Senior police officers argue the issue involves multiple agencies and not its department alone. “We are not a postman…Had the cruise operators coordinated with the taxi drivers, the issue could have been avoided,” a highly placed senior officer told The Goan, requesting anonymity.
The officer revealed how the fiasco unfolded while conceding that Vasco police did receive a letter from the cruise operators, which was submitted at the last minute.
“The cruise operators informed us about the arrival of two cruise ships from the USA and Lakshadweep via Mumbai to Goa, about a fortnight ago. We made all the arrangements. The ships docked on December 14 without any tension because the taxi operators were taken into confidence,” he revealed.
It is understood that 22 minibuses and 250-odd taxis were booked to take these passengers for sightseeing. However, the arrival of the third cruise ship on the same day was allegedly not shared with the rival stakeholder. This cruise liner was carrying another set of 79 American passengers, who were held hostage by taxi operators forcing the former to return to the ship.
“The cruise operators failed to inform the taxi drivers that a bus coach is pre-booked for the third cruise tourists. They should coordinate not with the taxi operators only but also with other agencies such as Port, Tourism, Transport, etc. Why are the police dragged into the controversy?” he asked.
Besides the policemen, the department justified that officials from the Tourism and Transport departments should bear the responsibility to make their presence felt at the port to receive guests.
Reacting to allegations about illegal taxi operations, the officer put the onus on the transport department arguing that RTO should crack down on such elements.
Otto de Oliveira Fernandes, proprietor of the International Travel Bureau at Panaji, on Saturday alleged that the Mormugao police had been intimated by the tour operator well in advance while refuting press statements by South Goa SP Abhishek Dhaniya that there was no communication between tour operators and taxi drivers.
Two taxi drivers were arrested for allegedly assaulting the bus driver in the matter that has snowballed into a major controversy. With an eye on high end tourists, the fiasco could affect cruise tourism.
