Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Women’s Wing of the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), led by Chairperson Asha Arondekar, convened a vibrant forum on June 7 at GCCI Panaji, spotlighting the urgent need for structured, app-based taxi services in Goa. The meeting gathered a wide range of Goan women—including students, homemakers, professionals, and entrepreneurs—who shared firsthand how the absence of reliable mobility severely restricts their freedom, economic opportunities, and sense of security.
Asha Arondekar emphasized that mobility isn’t merely a convenience, but a lifeline: “As women, we face a range of transportation challenges every day… With the right support system, even cost related issues can be addressed more effectively.” Participants echoed her concerns, noting that the lack of dependable transport hinders business, professional commitments, and educational aspirations.
Across the panel, women described pressing mobility challenges: Anita Bagla, a uniform manufacturer, highlighted how the cost of hiring cabs eats into her profits; architect Jyoti Bhonsle recounted declining South Goa projects due to lengthy commutes; college student Niharika shared how travel dependence limits her higher-education options; communications professional Rina Barreto spoke of losing personal work hours by chauffeuring family; and teacher Rahila Khan discussed the emotional stress of relying on male relatives or unsafe public transport.
Entrepreneur Ruchika Dhaval underscored the needs of women working odd hours in the event industry: “Let’s stop being tourist centric. Goans need dependable transport too.” Echoing this sentiment, Natasha Bhardwaj from the South Asian Institute of Crime and Justice Studies remarked, “We all need a system that’s dependable, accessible, and affordable. That’s what makes us feel free”.
Panelists agreed that without reliable app-based mobility, women’s economic participation and independence remain constrained. Asha Vernekar, GCCI Women’s Wing member, put it succinctly: “I want to control my life. I don’t want to depend on my husband and brother.”
The forum also welcomed proposed measures in Goa’s draft Transport Aggregator Guidelines 2025 aimed at promoting mobility equity, including:
• Health insurance coverage of ₹10 lakh for female drivers (plus dependent coverage), with annual 5% increments
• Reimbursement of full insurance premium (up to ₹30,000) for vehicles completing 500 aggregator trips annually
• Subsidies for female owner-cum-drivers purchasing new electric taxis or autorickshaws
• 100% aggregator renewal fee waiver if female drivers comprise at least 20% of the fleet
The GCCI Women’s Wing concluded that establishing a Goa-based or statewide app taxi network is critical—not just for tourists, but for local women’s empowerment. They made a clear appeal: structured, safe, and affordable mobility is a cornerstone of inclusive growth and economic freedom in Goa.
