PERNEM
Sanjay Kole, President of the Morjim Taxi Association, has questioned why Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar is not supporting the taxi operators and also opposing the taxi app that the government intends to introduce in the State.
“We have been opposing the taxi app from different mediums but the politicians and the government are not bothered about the taxi operators. The taxi operators’ demand of a yellow and black taxi stand at the Mopa airport was supported by Pernem MLA Pravin Arlekar who stood with them and compelled the government to oblige the taxi operators with a blue taxi stand, if not a black and yellow one. Now it is the moral duty of the Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar to be with them until the taxi app is cancelled,” said Kole.
Kole further added that Jit Arolkar had assured that he will oppose the taxi App, and that’s why the taxi operators and their families voted for him.
Asking why Arolkar is now pressurising the taxi operators to register their names on the taxi app, Kole mentioned that not a single taxi operator is supporting the app.
Kole also pointed out that many taxi operators live in Mandrem constituency’s coastal areas at Morjim, Ashwem, Harmal, Keri etc and many of these keep their taxis at home, and take out their vehicle out only if they get a passenger, as there is no parking facility or any official taxi stand in the area.
“Hence a taxi stand, if made available, would be a welcome step,” said Kole.
There are more than 700 tourist taxi operators in coastal areas of Mandrem, but they do not get any business during the tourist season. The parties that go on at odd hours also do not give them business, because those who stay longer at these parties, bring their own vehicles. So these parties are of no use to us, claimed Kole.
“The taxi operators were expecting to get good business after the Mopa airport began operations. However, after the airport was inaugurated, the government began a Kadamba bus service there. The buses ply with 40 passengers, and if one taxi is allowed to carry four passengers, 10 taxi operators will get business,” claimed Kole.
