the goan I network
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Taximen affiliated to the Mormugao Port Tourist Taxi Union (MPTTU) were left high and dry on Tuesday, after all passengers arriving in two cruise ships at the port were taken in coaches.
According to MPTTU members, coaches arrived on Tuesday and transported all passengers arriving by two cruise ships at the cruise terminal, leaving local taxi operators in anger.
Taxi operators and MPTTU members have decided to meet Urban Development Minister Milind Naik, the South Goa collector and officials of GTDC department to address their grievances. “Around 400 passengers had arrived by an international cruise liner, while another 200 had arrived by the Angriya ship. However, all of them were taken by coaches and not a single taxi of MPTTU got any business,” complained MPTTU President Sanjay Kanoji.
“TTAG President Savio Messias had made baseless allegations and accused us of troubling passengers and forcing them to use our taxis. But the fact is, we don’t have any business because of these hotel coaches. What are we locals to do? Today police inspectors of different police stations have arrived to ensure no law and order situations arise, but they have seen for themselves how we have been left high and dry,” said Kanoji.
Another MPTTU member Manoj Navelkar said 19 coaches had arrived and taken away all the passengers. “Messias should be ashamed for terming us mafia and calling the police at the site. It is a shame for GTDC as well because we are registered with them. Who is this Messias? Is he a tour operator or is he just talking on their behalf for self interest? We have never seen him here and we will not keep quiet anymore. The police are here and they have witnessed our plight,”said Navelkar.
MPTTU Office bearer Kiran Naik said the union would meet all authorities before things go out of hand.
“We will meet all authorities concerned to resolve this issue because we are practically out of business. We have families to take care of and installments to pay. We will meet government officials and update them about the precarious situation we are going through. We cannot afford to be out of business forever and a solution has to be worked out, failing which we may have to come on the roads in protest,” said Naik.
