MAPUSA
Stating that presently there was a freeze on issuing licences to rent-a-bikes in the State, Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho said the government was planning to reconsider the decision in the interest of the youth.
Godinho, on Friday, told the Goa Legislative Assembly that the government had stopped issuing licences because the number of rent-a-bikes had increased tremendously in the State.
Also, the tourists used to hire these bikes and ride recklessly around the villages in spite of not knowing the topography well, he said.
“The government is now re-considering the decision and will begin to issue permission to rent-a-bikes as there is demand from the youth in the State,” Godinho said, in response to the issue raised by Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas during the Zero Hour.
According to Viegas, several private bikes are rented to tourists thus depriving the local youth who want to buy motorbikes and put them on rent as they cannot get a licence.
He said the transport department was also losing revenue due to the illegal renting of private bikes.
The Transport Minister also informed that the government was coming up with a plan of providing e-bikes and e-rickshaws under the aegis of the ‘Goencho Taxi Patrao’ scheme which was launched recently.
