Dabolim airport: Passengers face hardships
VASCO
The strike by tourist taxi operators on Monday put tourists into severe hardship, as a large number of them had to make various alternate arrangements to and from Dabolim airport.
Anticipating difficulty in reaching the airport, some passengers arrived early in the morning and were seen seated outside the airport, while others had tough time in managing infants and toddlers.
As the tourist taxis remained off the road, the tourists hired rickshaws to reach the airport.
Police teams were also present at the airport to avoid any law and order problems.
Speaking to The Goan, many tourists hit out at the tourist taxi operators for putting them to hardship.
“We had to leave out hotels early to be in time for our departure. Everyone has right to carry out business for their livelihood and the tourist taxi operator should not deprive them by exerting pressure on the government,” remarked a tourist from Punjab, who supported the rent-a-bike and rent-a-car operators.
“We are not rich tourists and we take the cheapest means of transport to explore Goa,” added the Punjabi tourist.
Travel and Tourism Association of Goa Secretary Savio Messias told The Goan that he had been camping since morning to guide the tourists.
“There is no coordination between the KTC buses and the GTDC's hired buses, as tourists were confused on which buses to board. The strike is unjustified and the tourist taxi operators have held the tourists to ransom and this will have an adverse impact on the tourism industry,” said Messias.
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Contingency plan was in place at Dabolim: KTC chairman
VASCO: Vasco MLA and KTC Chairman Carlos Almeida stated that a contingency plan had been put in place for the benefit of many tourists at Dabolim airport.
“I had convened a meeting with all stakeholders at Dabolim airport on Sunday evening and we worked out a contingency plan,” Almeida told The Goan.
“I have been here since morning to supervise bus arrangement, so that tourists do not suffer because of the strike,” said Almeida.
Asked how many KTC buses were pressed into service, Almeida replied: “There was no shortage of KTC buses and others will be pressed into service as and when required. It was a good thing that children are on holidays and the school buses were diverted to the airport to cater to the passengers.”
Commenting on the law and order situation along the route, Almeida stated that police personnel were posted at the Porvorim junction and in the villages to safeguard the vehicles transporting the tourists.
