Goa tourist taxis to be equipped with wireless radio sets

PANAJI: The Goa government has decided to convert tourist taxis into radio-equipped taxis by equipping them with gadgets like wireless.

Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar told the state Assembly today that a group of around 25 taxis could be clubbed together and provided with facilities like wireless sets, introducing a radio-taxi concept in the state for the first time.

"We could start with 25 taxis for the time being. These vehicles could be stationed at a point from where they may be reached on wireless sets, if required to ferry tourists," Parrikar said on the floor of the house.

State tourism minister Dilip Parulekar said that rather than introducing new taxis, existing taxis could be converted into radio-taxis.

"We could club all the taxis under one association," he said.

Speaking on the floor of the house today, the opposition benches had blamed tourist taxi operators for creating bad image for Goa by introducing high fares.

Benaulim MLA Cajetan Fernandes was the only legislator who stood by taxi operators claiming that allegations against them were wrong.