The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders Siddesh Bhagat and Chetan Salgaonkar, have strongly criticized the decision by GMR to increase parking charges for taxis at Mopa Airport.
The revised tariffs impose a fee of Rs. 200 for a mere 0-5 minutes of stay at the airport, with a staggering Rs. 500 for 5-10 minutes. Bhagat argued that such measures are grossly unfair to taxi drivers, many of whom are struggling to make a living. He emphasized that charging extra could lead to public backlash, unfairly labeling taxi drivers as a “Taxi Mafia.”
Bhagat appealed to Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant to intervene urgently and resolve this issue, highlighting the potential inconvenience caused to passengers, particularly senior citizens and persons with disabilities. The vast size of the airport complex necessitates a few extra minutes for drop-offs and departures, making relaxation of this rule vital.
Chetan Salgaonkar, another AAP leader, called on Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte and CM Pramod Sawant to prioritize a swift resolution to this matter. He emphasized the imminent arrival of major events like the National Games and IFFI, which will be marred if taxi drivers are forced to drop passengers at the entrance to save on parking fees.
Salgaonkar voiced his discontent over these tariff changes, as it would ultimately result in passengers paying more for their rides, a burden that cannot be absorbed by the taxi operators. He questioned the government’s motives in allowing such increases.
Adding he said, “The Mopa Airport’s revised tariffs now require taxis to pay Rs. 200 for 0-5 minutes of parking, compared to the earlier Rs. 50. Five minutes are often necessary for passengers to disembark and retrieve their luggage”.
