Transport Dir secures undertaking from 96 taxi operators to install meters

the goan I network
PANAJI
The Directorate of Transport secured undertakings from 96 taxi operators that they will fit taxi fare meters on their taxis when they are available, the Bombay High Court at Goa was informed. 
On March 14, the Bombay High Court at Goa directed the government to secure an undertaking from all applicants for either fresh taxi licences or for the transfer of a licence that they will fix digital meters in their taxis. 
“The state will have to take an undertaking from the applicants who apply for new permits or seek transfer or renewals that they will, on the date notified or within the time period stipulated, fit digital meters as contemplated under the Rules,” the High Court bench of Justices N M Jamdar and Prithviraj Chavan said. 
“Such undertaking shall be pre-requisite for grant of issuance, renewal and transfer of permits. This, however, will make no difference to the liability of the existing permit holders to adhere to the rules,” the court directed. 
“While granting 96 new permits, renewal of 60 permits and transferring of 20 permits, undertakings have been taken from the applicants that they will fit the digital fare meters,” the Director told the High Court. 
The state advocate general also told the court that the process of finalizing the tender for the installation of fare meters on taxis was well underway. 
“Tenders have been called for and tenderers have submitted their bids and the process is going on,” the AG told the Court. 
The Travel and Tourism Association of Goa had filed a case before the Bombay High Court at Goa seeking that the court directs the Goa government to make meters for taxis operating in Goa mandatory. 
The petition was filed in 2016.