After delay, Govt to issue new tourist taxi permits

Team Herald

PANJIM:  After a temporary delay that lasted almost two months, the State Government is all set to issue new tourist taxi permits to nearly 800-odd vehicles. It has also decided to grant time till January 2020 for taxi operators to apply and obtain a badge, which has been made mandatory. 

The govt had in August halted the process of granting new tourist taxi permits following a demand from various taxi association, who were protesting against the entry of GoaMiles app based taxi service in the State. 

Speaking to media persons on Monday, Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho said following requests from various stakeholders including taxi associations and GoaMiles, the government has decided to issue new tourist taxi permits. 

"These permits will be issued to only those vehicle operators, who had made the payments for the permits and have also installed speed governors to their vehicles. There are around 800-odd vehicles. The number may even go up to 1000," he said. 

The minister added that the govt had put a temporary halt on issuing new permits on the request of taxi associations only. "Now on their request only, we are relaxing the decision," he said. 

At present there are around 25,400-odd tourist taxis that are operational in the State. 

Announcing that govt has made the badge along with the 15-years domicile mandatory for taxi operators, Godinho said that there are several taxi drivers, operating without badge, while several have not even renewed it. 

"From 2017 to 2019, following the Supreme Court order, we had issued a notification that badge is not compulsory. But now we have reviewed our decision and made it mandatory," he said adding the badge will be given to only those with the 15-years domicile and police clearance. 

The Minister added that the govt will issue a notification granting time till the end of January to apply and obtain the badge. "After that we will start taking action. Till then, we will request the RTO not to issue challans to the drivers without badge," he said. 

Godinho said that the need for the badge rose, as the govt came across information that several people from the neighboring states and districts, with criminal records, are working as drivers in Goa. 

Meanwhile, the Minister reiterated that the govt will not implement the new Central Motor Vehicle Act, which has increased the fines for violations, till the roads are repaired.