Team Goemkarponn
DABOLIM: The United Taximen Union (UTU), representing around 350 yellow-black taxis operating at the Dabolim Airport, met with Mormugao DySP Gurudas Kadam, Dabolim PI Arun Bhakre, Traffic PI Alvito Rodrigues, and RTO officials on Tuesday afternoon to raise serious concerns over the unchecked presence of touts and illegal rent-a-car operators affecting their livelihood.
The UTU members alleged that these unauthorised operators have been eating into their business with impunity, and warned of launching a protest by parking their taxis along the exit road of the airport if authorities fail to intervene.
UTU President Shailesh Mayekar said, “We have united to raise our concerns over the constant loss of business. Despite having around 350 taxis, many of us do not even get a single trip a day at the airport due to the rampant illegal activity by rent-a-car operators and touts.”
He further alleged that rent-a-car vehicles are being parked illegally near the airport premises and sometimes even inside the airport to hand over vehicles directly to customers.
“These vehicles should be parked at the office premises of the operators, not at the airport. Touts solicit customers openly and escort them to cars without any fear of the law. We had a meeting with authorities in the past, including one called by Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho, but nothing has changed,” Mayekar said.
Mayekar added that the Union had now approached the Mormugao DySP to demand a concrete solution. “We have received assurances once again, but if no strict action is taken, we will be forced to park our taxis on the exit road and protest,” he warned.
UTU member Prasad Prabhugaonkar echoed the concerns, saying, “Despite paying all government charges and taxes, our taxis remain idle while these illegal operators make brisk business without contributing a single rupee to government revenue.”
Prabhugaonkar added that the yellow-black taxi counter has been legally operating at the airport for over 40 years without a single passenger complaint.
“These touts not only steal our business but also abuse our drivers. Some of them even resort to violence if we raise objections. The police issue fines, but these people come back the next day. Who are these people? Do the authorities know anything about them? Their background is unknown, which could pose a serious safety risk to passengers,” he said.
He alleged that police and traffic officials have turned a blind eye despite repeated complaints. “We are following all rules, paying lakhs of rupees in taxes and for the counter, while these illegal operators do as they please. If this continues, we will stop paying all charges and launch a massive protest. Some of us have bought vehicles on loan and are struggling to survive,” Prabhugaonkar added.
The Union said that the DySP has issued instructions to the police and traffic officials to look into the matter. However, they reiterated that if no action is visible in the coming days, a full-scale protest including road blockades and a hunger strike will be launched.
