Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
Panaji, Jan 8: Taxi operators received temporary relief at Manohar International Airport, Mopa, on Tuesday after Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant intervened in the ongoing dispute over vehicle entry and waiting-time restrictions imposed by airport operator GMR.
Following the Chief Minister’s intervention, taxi unions said GMR has agreed to allow a five-minute free window for pick-up and drop-off at the airport, easing the earlier two-minute limit that had sparked widespread resentment among drivers. However, the operators clarified that the relaxation is only interim and reiterated their demand for a minimum 10-minute waiting period.
Earlier in the day, taxi operators gathered outside the Chief Minister’s residence at Altinho to highlight what they termed the ‘entry fee’ issue at Mopa airport. Heavy police deployment was made as a precautionary measure.
Addressing reporters after the meeting, Sunil Naik, president of the North and South Goa Taxi Union (NS GTU), said the gathering was not a protest but an attempt to draw attention to the concerns of nearly 22,000 taxi operators across the State.
“We want 10 minutes for taxis and 15 minutes for buses. Earlier, there were no issues. The problem has started now. We are relieved that the two-minute limit has been relaxed to five minutes, but this is only temporary. We will continue to demand 10 minutes, as other airports allow up to eight minutes,” he said.
Taxi drivers across Goa have strongly opposed GMR’s revised regulations, under which vehicles are reportedly charged Rs 210 if they exceed the stipulated waiting time of two to five minutes in the pick-up zone. Drivers argue that the limit is impractical due to delays caused by flight arrivals, passenger coordination, luggage handling and security procedures, and that the rule unfairly penalises them for factors beyond their control.
Union leaders said the Chief Minister assured them that the five-minute waiting window would remain in force for the time being. He also directed officials to examine complaints regarding the number of speed breakers within the airport premises, which drivers claim slows vehicle movement.
The operators urged the government to recognise taxi unions as stakeholders in future meetings with GMR so they can directly present operational issues. The agitation had earlier intensified at Colvale, where a large number of taxi drivers assembled demanding an immediate rollback or further relaxation of the waiting-time restrictions.
Following police intervention, a 15-member delegation of taxi operators was escorted to Mopa airport for discussions with GMR officials. Taxi unions warned that the agitation would be intensified, including possible disruption of airport transport services, if their demands are not met.
Meanwhile, the dispute has drawn scrutiny from the State government. Recently, the Goa government issued a show-cause notice to GMR Goa International Airport Limited (GGIAL) over alleged irregularities in the collection of vehicle entry charges at Mopa airport.
The notice refers to the concession agreement signed in November 2016 between the Airports Authority of India and GGIAL for the development of the greenfield airport under a public-private partnership model. As per the agreement, vehicles are allowed free access to the terminal approach road if they halt for up to two minutes during peak hours and up to five minutes during off-peak hours.
The government has alleged that on December 23, 2025, GGIAL levied charges on vehicles that stopped at arrival or departure terminals for as little as two seconds, terming it an “abuse” of concession terms. The Directorate of Civil Aviation has directed GGIAL to submit its reply within seven days, failing which legal action may be initiated.