Demand rollback to old fees in 48 hrs
Strongly objecting to the steep hike in parking fees from Rs 70 to Rs 200 at the Manohar International Airport at Mopa, taxi operators have threatened an agitation if the fees are not rolled back within 48 hours.
Leaders of the taximen warned that they will show their might by bringing thousands of people to join in the protest.
Pledging support at a protest meeting organised by the taxi owners outside Mopa airport, former deputy chief minister Manohar Ajgaonkar criticised the Mopa airport management for effecting the parking fee hike without taking the local taxi owners into confidence.
If the taxi operators do not get the justice then they are prepared to go to any extent. If the State government does not solve this parking fee issue, taxi operators will be left with no option but to come on the streets with their families and stage a protest,” he warned.
He claimed that the residents of Pernem did not get any benefit from the Mopa airport.
“The Mopa airport was set up in Pernem taluka and locals from Pernem were assured of employment opportunities. But we have not got anything from this airport, and the airport has not benefited us in any way,” said Ajgaonkar.
“The government should cancel the hike in parking fee from Rs 70 to Rs 200.”
“If taxi operators and their families come out on the streets in protest, public movement will get a direction. What can the authorities do? They will file cases against the taxi operators and their families. Let them file cases. Everyone is prepared to go to jail,” Ajgaonkar added.
Former Chandel-Hasapur sarpanch Tulshidas Gawas also supported the agitating taxi operators and demanded that the government should ensure a rollback on the hike in parking fees.
