PANAJI
In tough talk, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday said that his government will not tolerate any 'dadagiri' and that taxi operations at the new Manohar International Airport will be via the 'Goa Taxi App' and by a queue system only.
No "dadgiri" will be tolerated by taxi drivers against their peers who join the 'Goa Taxi app', Sawant said, adding that fares as notified by the State transport department will be strictly followed.
"Goa is an international tourist destination. Any activity in the taxi or tourism business that could bring a bad name to Goa will not be tolerated," Sawant said.
On the 'Goa Taxi app' which has already missed its initial launch date and is also yet to be vetted and approved by his Cabinet, Sawant assured that it is ready.
"We are 100% ready. 'Goa taxi app' with queue system only for those who register on the app, will start from Mopa from January 5,” Sawant said.
Commercial flights are expected to begin operating from the airport at Mopa from January 5.
Sawant's statement meanwhile throws a spectre of suspense and uncertainty over a process opened up by the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) on Thursday which asked taxi operators to register for the taxi operations counter to be set up at Mopa.
The GTDC had said that taxi operators from Pernem taluka will get preference which is conflicting with the chief minister's assertion that Mopa taxi operations will be exclusively via the 'Goa Taxi app'.
