As the development takes place in this tiny state, the invasion of new players is very much predictable, but in Goa, the locals are not ready to adapt to the changes so easily, and every time the new development takes place, they get ready to oppose the same. It looks like something similar have happened with the introduction of the New Car Rental Services at the Dabolim Airport, which has resulted into creating the feeling of fear of losing the business amongst the Local Taxi Operators, and they have decided to not to allow the smooth operation of the new player in their business arena…
According to the reports, the new Car Rental Service Counter has inaugurated on Monday at Dabolim Goa Airport by Taj Indian Tours company. This new facility has been started in Goa to support the growing demand for taxi services by the increased in the number of flights at Dabolim.
Dabolim is Goa’s lone Domestic as well as International airport which caters to the entire traffic coming into this tiny state. According to the AAI (Airport Authority of Goa), this new facility has been introduced to cater the huge inflow of passengers at the Airport, said the Goa International Airport, director, BC H Negi.
Mr. Negi also made it clear that the new car rental Maxi Cab Service contract which has been awarded to the Taj India Tours is done as per the AAI norms. According to him, there is a provision in the AAI Act. 1994 to allows AAI to start such facilities at the Airports managed by them. As per the act, ground transport facilities at any AAI managed airport is a basic essential facility required for passengers.
Mr. Negi has also pointed out that there will be a substantial growth of passengers at the Goa Airport as the more airlines start operating from there, and to match the requirement of the future, AAI has taken up infrastructure development works worth nearly Rs 500 crore, including improved passenger experience at the naval-controlled airport, Negi said, “With all these passenger-friendly initiatives, AAI will transform Goa International Airport despite the challenges and constraints that exist.”
It may be recalled that on Saturday, sensing possible law and order problems at the Monday launch, AAI officials had called for a meeting with the United Taximen Association, asking them to co-operate and not to take law in their hands. The association said that they do not have an issue with the counter so long as it works exclusively as a car rental and does not provide the destination to destination service.
Meanwhile, according to the latest development, the Local Taxi Operators have raised an objection on the launch of the new taxi service, claiming that they will not allow the service to start, despite of their earlier promise of co-operation to the new service at the Airport.
The situation at the Airport got tensed on Monday morning as around 350 taxmen gathered to stop the services of Maxicab Car Rental by Taj India Tours demanding only renting the car is allowed on the Goa Airport, and they will not allow the Point-to-Point taxi Service on the Airport at any cost. The sources have also revealed that heavy police force has been deployed at Goa Airport to avoid any unforeseen circumstances.
The 20 car fleet service was supposed to commence in the month of October 2017, after completing all required formalities including obtaining of all mandatory regulatory approvals required from state and central government authorities. “Due to a delay in getting these approvals, the agency approached the high court which issued a direction to the government to issue necessary approvals. Based on the court’s direction, the agency was recently granted the license by the state road transport authority,” Negi said.
Negi said that AAI is spending close to Rs16 crore to modify the existing terminal building to address the shortcomings and constraints and thus provide passengers with facilities that are on par with those available at other international airports.
SOURCE: TOI
