Taxi Wallahs’ fight for parking space

Taxi Wallahs’ fight for parking space



Express News ServiceFirst Published : 11 Mar 2009 04:35:00 AM ISTLast Updated : 11 Mar 2009 01:21:46 PM IST
BANGALORE: Pre-paid taxi operators under the aegis of the Bangalore Luxury Taxi Drivers Association on Tuesday, staged a protest at the Bengaluru International Airport (BIA ) demanding that the airport promoters provide pre-paid parking facilities.
The taxi operators alleged that Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL ), promoters of the greenfield airport, had not provided them pre-paid parking facilities despite repeated demands and promises made by the promoters that they will be given an opportunity to operate from the airport.
Bangalore Luxury Taxi Drivers Association general secretary, Khaja Mohinuddin said that BIAL had been dilly-dallying with the demands made by the association due to which a number of taxi operators belonging to the economically-weaker sections had become jobless.
“In other airports in the country, there is no monopoly as in the case of BIA . Everybody is allowed to operate taxi services,” said Mohinuddin.
Prior to the opening of the airport, BIAL had selected Meru and Easycab to provide taxi services for commuters at the airport.
O n Tuesday, the protesting cab drivers lined up their cars on the road leading to the airport to protest against the airport operators. The local police was in full strength to ensure that no untoward incident took place and that commuters to the airport were not stopped by the protesters.
Members of the Bangalore Luxury Taxi Drivers Association later met BIAL Officials and conveyed to them that if their demands were not met in the next 10 days, their protest would intensify and that they would barge into the airport premises.
Meanwhile, BIAL has said that they were requested by various taxi associations and unions to operate out of the airport. Following which, extended discussions were held with the associations, government and Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC).
“Based on these discussions, we have an understanding that all such associations will have the opportunity to operate under the KSTDC umbrella (an official partner of BIAL). Moving forward, the associations will have to approach KSTDC to explore opportunities for working with BIA ,” said a source.