Just when the weather seems to have settled, the feathers of taxi drivers in Goa seem to have ruffled. A human storm appears to be brewing and visitors intending to visit in the month of June and July better be in the loop.
Taxi drivers in Goa have always been looked at by tourists with both, affection and scepticism, the latter more this season. As key stakeholders in the tourism trade, their relationship with visitors has often swung unpredictably on the pendulum of goodwill.
With the season coming to an end and the government trying to push the industry beyond the normal brief by trying to rope in tourists during the rains—it has never been a good story—taxi drivers all over Goa are angry that the former is trying to bring in aggregators into the business.
What they mean: Big players in the business of transport are going to be allowed to enter the Goan market thus liquidating the locals. They claim taxis, motorcycle pilots, rickshaw drivers and rent-a-car owners will be out of business once the market is thrown open to all.
Anjuna was on the boil on Thursday as a leader of taxi drivers from the village, popularly known as Mogambo, was called to the police station. His fingerprints were recorded and he was officially declared a history-sheeter.
On hearing the news, the Anjuna Police station was flooded by taxi drivers from the entire area and to make matters worse, the police blocked entry to the police station, aggravating the ire of the agitators.
To many outside the State, the matter may appear to be domestic. But, to those intending to come to Goa in June or later—unless the matter is amicably sorted out by then—the message is: think before you plan to come.
“The government has given us time to file our objections in writing and we are doing that. Our plea is simple, roll back the plan and let us continue the way we are. Or else, we are not going to keep quiet. Things are going to be bad for everyone,” roared Mogambo after he was allowed to walk away from the police station.
The government has given us time to file our objections in writing and we are doing that. Our plea is simple, roll back the plan and let us continue the way we are. Or else, we are not going to keep quiet.
Mogambo, taxi driver
Mogambo and the other taxi drivers gathered at the Anjuna Police Station, said they smelled a rat—a particularly foul one—and suspected that the government was trying to hand over their business to big-time players from outside.
“They allowed Pepsi and Coca Cola to come into Goa and our local soft drink makers had to shut shop. We are the next,” Mogambo warned his colleagues outside the police station.
Sadly, during the season, it has been tourists who have complained of seeing the ugly face raised by stakeholders in the taxi business. Overcharging, arrogance, rash driving are some of the phrases appended to their board of memories.
The move of the government to open the market and the reaction from the stakeholders, on hindsight, shows that tourism in Goa seems to be slipping from the sleek altar once crafted for it.
We are ready to go to any extent to stop anyone else trying to enter our trade. There will be no compromise on this and we are ready to die for this cause
Tulsidas, taxi driver
“We are ready to go to any extent to stop anyone else trying to enter our trade. There will be no compromise on this and we are ready to die for this cause,” warned taxi driver Tulsidas.
All taxi drivers in protest outside the police station were convinced Mogambo was called and declared a history-sheeter to silence their voice. In fact, it seems to have had the opposite effect and made them louder.
In the din, the tourists will be thrown at the receiving end and this is something the government should not bargain. A stand on taxis should be decisive and not based on politics of the day, if tourism is to bloom.