Panaji: Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant on Friday clarified that the fresh draft guidelines issued by the state government in connection with the Cab Aggregators Policy will not open doors for companies like Ola and Uber.
Sawant met a section of BJP MLAs including Michael Lobo (Calangute) and Jit Arolkar (Mandrem) in the presence of taxi operators to address concerns over the Goa Transport Aggregator Guidelines, 2025.
The draft guidelines were issued by the State Transport Department on May 20, 2025, seeking objections and suggestions from stakeholders. The last date for submissions is June 30.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, Sawant said there is no need for confusion among taxi operators. “They have apprehensions that the guidelines will open doors for aggregators like Ola and Uber which are operating outside Goa,” the Chief Minister said.
He stated that the guidelines do not aim to open floodgates for national cab aggregators like Ola and Uber.
Goa currently has two local aggregators — Goa Miles and Goa Taxi — which provide app-based services to customers.
Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar, speaking about the meeting with Sawant, said taxi operators in the state want the government to take them into confidence before finalising the guidelines.
He also said that taxi operators are concerned about aggregator companies from outside Goa, who may enter the market under the guise of these guidelines.
Calangute MLA Michael Lobo said taxi operators want the guidelines to be kept in abeyance.
He mentioned that the issue was discussed with the Chief Minister, who has assured to call a meeting of MLAs representing coastal constituencies and all stakeholders before taking a final decision on the guidelines.
