**South Goa Vacation Turns Distressing for Ahmedabad Woman Alleging Harassment by Local Taxi Drivers**
A vacation meant to be peaceful took a distressing turn for a woman tourist from Ahmedabad, who alleged that she was harassed by local taxi drivers in South Goa for booking an app-based cab. Sharing her ordeal through a video online, the woman lamented, “Yahan bahut gundagardi hai” (There’s hooliganism here).
### Harassment Over App-Based Cab Booking
According to the tourist, she had booked an online cab to travel from South Goa to the airport. However, upon the cab’s arrival, local taxi drivers reportedly surrounded the vehicle and refused to let it move forward.
“They did not let the cab go forward, nor did they let me get into the cab. In the rain, I had to carry all my luggage and walk, and I was completely soaked,” she recounted. The woman said she was forced to walk several kilometres before finally booking another taxi.
Describing the entire experience as “pathetic,” she added that it left her physically and emotionally exhausted.
### Threatened with Police Action
The tourist also alleged that the local drivers threatened her with police intervention. Quoting the drivers, she said, “Madam, aap aage nahi jaa sakti. Police aane do, fir dekhte hain” (Madam, you cannot go forward. Wait until the police arrive).
### FIR Registered Against Three Taxi Drivers
Following public outrage, Colva police registered an FIR against three local taxi drivers identified as Menino D’Silva, Milagres Almeida, and Agnelo Rodrigues, all residents of Betalbatim. Authorities confirmed the case is currently under investigation and promised appropriate action based on the findings.
### Allegations Against Resort Staff
The woman further alleged that her resort staff failed to assist her during the distressing incident. “Even after paying Rs 5,000 to 6,000 per night, the resort staff did not help me and only tried to patch things up,” she said.
### Warning for Future Tourists
The tourist issued a warning to future visitors, urging them to exercise caution, especially in South Goa. She criticized the local taxi operators’ “monopoly” and claimed police threats were common.
“South Goa ka haal bahut bura hai… cab walo ki monopoly hai, police ki dhamki milti hai. Agar aap tourist hain, toh yahan aake bahut dikkat ho sakti hai,” she said. (South Goa’s condition is very bad… there is a monopoly of cab drivers, and police threats are involved. If you are a tourist, you may face serious problems here.)
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This incident has sparked discussions on the need for better regulation of local taxi operations in tourist destinations and ensuring the safety and convenience of travelers. Authorities continue to investigate the case.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/yahan-bahut-gundagardi-hai-ahmedabad-woman-alleges-harassment-by-south-goa-taxi-drivers-fir-filed-video