Varca tourist taxi operators questioning a taxi driver over his presence near a hotel.
Photo Credits: Santosh Mirajkar
MARGAO
Accusing hotel managements for conniving with taxi app aggregators, tourist taxi operators from Varca have warned that they cannot remain silent spectators if outside tourist taxis pick up guests from the hotels right under their nose leaving them without any business and livelihood.
Claiming that these outside taxi operators even carry weapons such as knives and swords in their vehicles, the local tourist taxi operators have warned of dire consequences if the authorities as well as the hotels do not stop outside operators from taking their business.
The tourist taxi operators received support from Varca social worker Warren Alemao, who has issued a stern warning to the hotel managements to protect the interests of the local tourist taxi operators or face direct action.
Tourist taxi operator, Jose Afonso, a former Varca sarpanch said outside taxi driver collect hotel guests right under the nose of local taxi operators, making it difficult for them to eke a living. “Even when the hotel customers book taxis of local operators, they are later cancelled as outside taxis come and collect. This only goes to show the hand of the hotel managements in support of outside taxis,” he said.
Jose said these hotels have come through the blessings and support of the local Varca villagers after they promised them to provide employment opportunities such as plying of taxis. “I was also the sarpanch of Varca panchayat and I know that these hotels had come after promises made by the managements to support the local unemployed youth,” he added.
Another tourist taxi operator Britto Fernandes echoed similar sentiments saying that they hardly get any business with outside taxis picking up the hotel guests.
Taking up cudgels for the Varca tourist taxi operators, Warren Alemao has said the outside taxi operators are the real mafia as they come and deny business to the local operators. He warned that the local tourist taxi operators and the villagers have the guts and courage to stop the outside taxis from snatching business from the locals. “The patience of the local tourist taxi operators is running out. Just imagine that these outside taxi drivers are carrying weapons with them. The government authorities should intervene to protect the interests of the locals,” he added.
