Taxi operators' strike at Mopa airport to continue; meeting with CM fails

A proposed meeting between protesting tourist taxi operators attached to the new international airport at Mopa in Goa and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant did not materialise on Friday afternoon, with the latter terming their agitation politically motivated.

The taxi operators from Manohar International Airport at Mopa have been protesting since Thursday, pressing for their various demands, including complete stoppage of illegal transport at this greenfield airport, operated by GMR Goa International Airport Limited.

The agitation was expected to be resolved on Friday afternoon after CM Sawant invited a delegation of the taxi operators to meet him at his official residence at Altinho in Panaji.

Around 25 agitators went to meet the CM but were denied permission. Officials asked them to come with 8-10 members, said Chetan Kamat, a leader of the taxi operators.

The protesters demanded that the entire delegation be allowed to meet the CM, or else the meeting should be cancelled, he said.

K