the goan I network
MARGAO
Niz Goemkar pick-up drivers, operating from the Margao pick-up stand over the years, are facing new challenges of sorts from small and medium vehicles as well as the rising prices of diesel and insurance.
Operating from the pick-up stand in Margao’s new market area over the last four decades under the banner of All Goa Pick-Up Drivers’ Association, pick-up drivers say the entry of small and medium goods carriers have made a dent in their traditional business. They lamented that people from outside the State such as Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh have entered into the business, further affecting their business.
Babi Zhore, who has been elected as the new president of the All Goa Pick-Up Drivers’ Association, has said the pick-up drivers have been facing various problems, including the rising prices of diesel and insurance, coupled by the entry of small and medium goods carriers into the transport business.
“The new committee under my leadership will try to sort out the various issues plaguing the pick-up drivers, operating from the pick-up stand. The association has a total of 61 members and the members operating from the pick-up stand,” he said.
When asked to throw light on the government’s plan to shift the pick-up stand to the SGPDA ground, Babi said though there was a proposal to shift the pick-up stand to the new place, they have not received any intimation in recent times. He, however, conceded that shifting of the pick-up stand from the new market to the SGPDA market may further affect their business.
A pick-up driver, Vishram Naik said that entry of outsiders, hailing from Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh has made an entry into the business with small and medium vehicles.
The government had in the past proposed to shift the pick-up stand from the heart of
the town to the SGPDA market as the government has failed to come out with a package
for the beleaguered pick-up drivers.
Besides Babi Zhore as the new president, other committee members includes Prasang Desai as the vice-president, Jayant Naik as treasurer and Yeshwant Naik as secretary.
