“These are not minor oversights. Every commercial transport operator is required to obtain a valid permit, ensure drivers are registered, vehicles are inspected, and taxes are paid to the state government. When an international platform like Uber bypasses all of that, it doesn’t just break the law – it also sets a dangerous precedent.
What’s shocking is that this wasn’t an underground operation. Uber operated openly, its app fully functional in Goa, with rides booked daily — especially at high-traffic zones like Mopa Airport. So, what was the Transport Department doing all this time? Were they unaware, or worse, ignoring it?”
The recent First Information Report (FIR) lodged by the Goa Transport Department against Uber marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing struggle between legality and convenience in the state’s transport ecosystem. While the FIR is a welcome first step in addressing illegal operations, it raises a deeply troubling question: How did a global tech giant like Uber manage to operate under the noses of state authorities without a single permit or license?
Let us be clear — this is not an indictment of technology or innovation. App-based cab aggregators, when functioning within the legal framework, offer much-needed efficiency, transparency, and consumer choice. However, this case is not about innovation. It’s about enforcement, accountability, and revenue leakage. And most of all, it’s about how a system meant to regulate transport allowed a company to flout the rules with seeming impunity.
The FIR registered at the Mopa Airport Police Station details how Uber allegedly facilitated passenger pickups across Goa without obtaining the mandatory approvals from the Transport Department.
These are not minor oversights. Every commercial transport operator is required to obtain a valid permit, ensure drivers are registered, vehicles are inspected, and taxes are paid to the state government. When an international platform like Uber bypasses all of that, it doesn’t just break the law – it also sets a dangerous precedent.
What’s shocking is that this wasn’t an underground operation. Uber operated openly, its app fully functional in Goa, with rides booked daily — especially at high-traffic zones like Mopa Airport. So, what was the Transport Department doing all this time? Were they unaware, or worse, ignoring it?
This incident reflects either a lack of vigilance or a deep loophole in regulatory enforcement. The very fact that a senior transport officer had to lodge a complaint — rather than act on existing inspections or reports — indicates that the department may have been asleep at the wheel. If enforcement agencies need passengers and media reports to alert them about illegal activity by one of the world’s most recognisable companies, what hope is there for tracking truly clandestine operators?
The damage goes beyond legality. When companies operate without paying due taxes and registration fees, it’s the public exchequer that suffers. The money that should be going into road maintenance, public transport, and regulatory improvements instead lines someone else’s pocket — quite literally.
Moreover, with no official oversight, who ensures the safety of passengers? Who is accountable in the event of an accident or misconduct? These are not abstract issues — they have real-life consequences.
Contrast this with Goa Miles, the state-supported app-based taxi platform, which has made steady progress in providing regulated, tax-compliant services. While no system is perfect, Goa Miles has consistently operated under the laws of the state, contributing to the economy and improving local employment. More importantly, it pays its taxes, adheres to rules, and is held accountable by the authorities and public alike.
Why not then strengthen platforms like Goa Miles — or invite legal aggregators to apply through a proper framework — instead of allowing unlicensed operators to enter the market through the back door?
What’s needed now is not just an investigation into Uber’s operations, but also an audit of the Transport Department’s monitoring mechanisms. How long was this known? Were warnings issued? Were any internal reports ignored?
This cannot be brushed aside as a one-time lapse. The state must now draw a clear line — innovation is welcome, but illegality is not. Enforcement must be proactive, not reactive. And any platform — no matter how big or small — must comply with the same rules as local operators.
Uber’s case should serve as a wake-up call for Goa. It is time to clean up the digital cab space, reinforce accountability, and ensure that the future of transport in Goa is not only smart, but also legal, fair, and just.
