Come Friday and the flying squad constituted by the government will crack a whip against private cars operating as taxis to ferry guests and customers from the hotels in violation of traffic rules.
This became evident at a meeting chaired by the district police chief, SP Shekhar Prabhudesai on Thursday evening held at the South Goa district police headquarters, which was attended by Benaulim MLA Caitu Silva, representatives of the South Goa Tourist Taxi Association, and officials of the RTO, Traffic and police.
After the meeting, the district police chief told the media that it has been decided that the flying squad constituted by the government will reign in on the private cars operating as taxis upon complaint received from the tourist taxi operators. “The flying squad will start acting from Friday itself. We have told the tourist taxi operators to lodge their complaint on the telephone for actioni. They will have to call and the flying squad will initiate action”’, SP Prabhudesai told the media after the meeting.
Benaulim MLA Caitu Silva told the police and RTO that the illegal operation of private cars as taxis should stop forthwith to give justice for the tourist taxi operators. “The private cars have adversely affected the business of the tourist taxi operators. It has resulted in illegal operation and corruption. The private car owners have used influence to promote the illegalities. This has to stop forthwith,” he demanded.
When asked whether the tourist taxi operators are satisfied with the outcome of the meeting, a tourist taxi operator from Varca, Alario told the media that the tourist taxi operators would be happy only if the authorities crack a whip against the illegal private cars.
“The SP has given us a promise that the flying squad will clamp down on the private cars. We hope that things start moving in the right direction from Friday,” Alario said, adding that the 2000-odd private cars operating as illegal taxis has adversely affected the tourist taxi operators in the state.
