While the government claimed it will not interfer on Centre’s decision for speed governors on all commercial vehicles, the tourist taxi drivers have decided to continue the strike (which was earlier declared for one day only on Friday) on Saturday and until their demand is met. 

 

With many yellow plated taxis hired at government offices, Chief Minister’s Office on Friday had sought for records from every department on how many vehicles had reported to work and how many not. 

 

Transport Minister Sudin Dhavlikar, upset with the ‘illegal strike,’ has said that government has taken a strong view about the fact that some vehicles were not sent on official work and warned of suspension/termination of permits. He also warned to bring Ola and Uber taxi services to Goa, a system which has been opposed by the taxi operators and government too preferred to allow local business flourish, albeit until this crisis. 

 

The government has already made all the alternate arrangements to ensure tourists were not stranded. On Friday, at Dabolim Airport, a total of 64 trips were made wherein 2200 passengers were ferried by Kadamba bus service. Ten buses are still on standbye at airport now, transport director Nikhil Desai said. 

 

The Kadamba Corporation has extended help with deploying additional buses and around 400 vehicles of tourism’s main stakeholder TTAG could also be roped in. It is also learnt that if the strike continues further, outstation rental vehicles will be called to ensure people do not endure inconvenience in travelling.  

 

The adamant taxi operators have decided to meet at 9am today at Azad Maidan to decide further course of action. 

 

The district collectors have extended section 144 CrPC to Saturday too even as over a thousand police men have been deployed at every point including CM’s residence to avoid possible law and order problem.