North taxi owners deride sudden notification on speed governors

the goan I networkrPanajirrThe MoRTH notification dated May 1 published the amendments to the Motor Vehicle Act, 1989. The notification states that all four-wheeler transport vehicles not exceeding eight passengers in addition to the driver and not exceeding 350 kg GVW​ (gross vehicle weight) now fall under the gambit of the Section 118 of CMV Rules and are therefore required to be fitted with speed governors or speed-limiting devices. rWhile heavy police force was deployed to maintain law and order outside the Junta House in Panaji, a delegation of tourist taxi owners led by NGTTOA president Laxman “Bappa” Korgaonkar implored the Directorate of Transport to allow them three months breathing period before implementing the central amendment in Goa. r“The implementation of this new rule overnight has threatened our livelihood. We didn’t receive any intimation and found out only when the RTO stopped passing our vehicles. A speed governor costs Rs 8,000 and we need time of at least three months,” Korgaonkar said. rDoT Dessai has requested the tourist taxi owners to submit a formal representation on Monday. r“We will process it. It is a central government notification and state government has no power. We don’t have any power or option to give directions. Relaxation will have to be sought from New Delhi. Till the central government doesn’t sort out this issue, we cannot start passing,” Dessai explained. rDeputy Director of Transport Prakash Azavedo informed that around 20,000 to 22,000 tourist taxis stand to be affected. These include 14,000 tourist taxis and 7,000 all India permit vehicles in addition to other similar permits under the category. NGTTOA has now decided to communicate their grievance to the local MLAs and ministers.