Team Goemkarponn
VASCO: Vasco taxi operators on met Vasco MLA Krishna Salkar and Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) Chairperson Girish Borker to express their growing frustration over being left out of the business at the Mormugao cruise terminal. The delegation, comprising several local taxi owners and drivers, said they were struggling to sustain their livelihood as private operators and outsiders were being favoured while traditional local taxi operators were sidelined.
The taxi operators said it was high time the government recognised their long-standing service to the port town and ensured that they were given a fair share of the cruise-related business. “We have been serving Vasco for decades and have stood by the tourism sector even during tough times. Today, everyone else is reaping the benefits while locals are left out. We only seek our rightful place, not charity,” said one of the taxi owners during the meeting.
The operators also highlighted how private bus operators were encroaching on their customer base at Vasco railway station, causing financial strain to many taxi drivers. They demanded that authorities set up a proper, dedicated taxi stand in Vasco to streamline their operations and prevent conflict with other modes of transport.
“We don’t want to take to the streets, but if our voices continue to be ignored, we will have no choice. We have given a 15-day ultimatum, and after that, we will launch a peaceful but strong protest,” said another operator.
MLA Krishna Salkar assured the taxi operators that their issues would be taken up at the highest level. “I understand the hardship faced by local taxi operators. I will raise this matter with Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant on priority and work towards a practical solution. The aim is to ensure local people benefit first from local projects,” Salkar said.
He further warned that strict action would be taken against rent-a-bike and rent-a-car operators illegally parking their vehicles around Vasco. “These services have to function within the rules. If they are violating norms or causing inconvenience to locals, they will face action,” he cautioned.
MMC Chairperson Girish Borker, who also interacted with the operators, informed that the council had already identified a suitable location in Vasco for a new taxi stand. “A site has been marked, and we are working on finalising the necessary permissions. Once completed, it will bring much-needed order to taxi operations in the city,” Borker said, adding that he supports the demand of local taxi operators for fair treatment and inclusion in tourism-related business.
The meeting concluded with assurances from both the MLA and MMC Chairperson that their grievances would be addressed on priority, even as taxi operators stood firm on their ultimatum, hinting at large-scale protests if authorities fail to act within the given time frame.
