the goan I network
MAPUSA
Perhaps for the first time ever, the tourist taxi operators’ strike did not create much of a problem to tourists and the credit goes both to the government and the tourist taxi owners. Most tourists preferred to use alternate mode of transport made available to them.
For the government because the administration had taken adequate measures in assigning a number of buses along key routes like the Calangute-Candolim coastal belt, Tivim Railway station and other areas while ensuring tight police security.
Credit also goes to tourist taxi operators who did not indulge in violence as no untoward incident was reported during the day.
The chief operating officer of Travel Corporation of India, Earnest Dias told The Goan that there was some inconvenience but at least this time there was some arrangement on the ground.
“I must give credit to the government for the first time they took it strongly…There was police force everywhere. Good arrangement was made at the airport and the railway stations for buses to ply,” Dias said.
“Some inconvenience was there because a lot of people were coming…especially the domestic tourists. But at least some arrangement was there on the ground unlike earlier,” he added. In absence of tourist taxis, a lot of domestic tourists in Calangute were seen using other modes of transport like buses and rickshaws.
“It’s better if there are no cars. Buses are much cheaper,” a domestic tourist in Calangute said refusing to come on record.
Knowing about the strike, many hotel owners had made alternate arrangement to service their clients.
“People wanting to go to the airport were affected quite a bit. We were not affected much because there were no many checkouts from out hotel. Many other guests in other hotels have been affected,” said a senior executive from Hotel Goan Heritage, Calangute.
A strong police force was posted along the Calangute-Candolim coastal belt with PI Jivba Dalvi personally monitoring the situation.
“No tourists were found stranded. The situation was peaceful,” said Dalvi.
With five to six KTC buses stationed at the Tivim Railway station, the tourist taxi operators strike had minimum or no impact at the railway station.
With almost all tourist taxis remaining off the road, the streets in Calangute were less congested on Friday.
