MAPUSA
Tourist taxi drivers staged a protest at Colvale on Wednesday to protest against the pick-drop fees of Rs 210 exceeding 2 minutes at the Manohar International Airport at Mopa.
Claiming that the time limit and the fees are impractical, the aggrieved taxi operators insisted it was difficult to unload luggage and coordinate with passengers in such a short time.
A large number of taxi drivers gathered in the Housing Board area at Colvale, prompting the Mamlatdar and a police team to rush to the site to pacify the agitating taxi drivers.
Later, a 15-member delegation left for Mopa airport to meet with the airport officials.
Yogesh Govekar, an office-bearer of the taxi association, told media persons that a fee of Rs 210 is being charged from vehicles which stop for over two minutes to pick-drop passengers, putting a financial burden on taxi owners.
“We strongly oppose this decision and demand that airport officials immediately withdraw this decision. Airport authorities should appoint their own employees to handle luggage at the airport so that they understand the ground reality. We also demand the removal of the speed bumps and the toll point,” said Govekar, while warning that their struggle would continue until the hike in pick-drop fees is withdrawn.
