Vehicles population set to cross 10-lakh- Herald

February 21, 2014 TEAM HERALD PANJIM: Despite registering eight percent drop in registration of vehicles due to closure of mining operations and moratorium on rent a bike services, the vehicle population in Goa would cross 10 lakh by the end of the ongoing financial year 2013-14, said Transport Director Arun Desai on Thursday. Transport department statistics show that as on December 31, 2013, there were 9.87 lakh vehicles registered in Goa, which has a population of 15 lakh. During 2013 calendar year, 62,000 vehicles were registered in Goa, an 8 percent drop compared to last year. In 2012-13, 72,000 vehicles, transport and non transport were registered. Speaking to media persons, Desai said that on an average between 72,000-75,000 vehicles are purchased in the State annually. The moratorium on rent a bike service is till March 31. The director said that registration of goods and premium vehicles has seen a sharp decline while the drop in two-wheeler registration is marginal. He said that the department suffered a loss of nearly Rs 2 crore due to fall in vehicle registration. On purported permission granted to Ola Cabs Desai clarified, “Neither have we given any permission to Ola Cabs to ply nor have they moved any application seeking permissions. Desai statement came in the wake of one day strike threat on February 24, given by the tourist taxi operators, who had set a 48-hour deadline to government to withdraw permissions to the Cab company. Desai said that Ola Cab is a travel agency which needs to seek permissions from Road Transport Authority (RTA) to launch their services. However, he said, Ola Cabs representatives on Wednesday held a meeting informing about their style of operation, wherein they said that the agency will do online booking, while the local taxi operators would be used to ferry passengers. Director also clarified that despite Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar’s directions to have meeting with department on implementing point-to-point charges, the taxi operators have not shown any interest. The issue would be tabled before the State Transport Authority (STA) meeting slated for February 25. http://www.heraldgoa.in/News/Local%20News/Vehicles-population-set-to-cross-10-lakh/85655.html