Panaji (Goa): The Goa bench of Bombay High Court has deferred final hearing on a petition challenging Goa government’s decision to keep in abeyance its two-year-old notification to install digital fare meters and GPS-tracking system on tourist taxis, to Wednesday.

The Travel and Tourism Association of Goa, Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry and others through the petition seeks a mandamus from the High Court directing the government to strictly and diligently implement Rule 140 of the Goa Motor Vehicles Rules, 1991 made under the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 as amended in the year 2015.

The State government had made it mandatory for all tourist taxi operators to install digital fare meters with GPS tracking device, failing which no new permits or renewals would be granted. However the decision had been put on hold due to protest by taxi operators.

With the delay in bringing into the notification, the petitioners had pointed out to numerous complaints from the tourists regarding taxi cheating and high fares especially at the Airport, hotels and other important tourist places. On the other hand, the transport department had submitted to the court that the 2017 election procedure delayed the implementation. The submission was countered by the petitioners calling it unlawful and ‘mere excuses.’

The State has earned bad name with tourists taking to social media to criticize exorbitant taxi fares and arrogance of the tourist taxi operators. The government recently introduced shuttle service from airport to Calangute and Panaji, and vice versa at a nominal charge per head. The initiative is a big hit among the flight passengers. However, the biggest hurdle is stiff opposition to bringing app-based taxi service in the State with the taxi operators arguing it would finish the earning of the Goan business. The government is however contemplating to convert the existing taxis into app-based/online service.

Team TNV