Goa suspends registration of Ola Electric scooters after complaints about ‘service support, repair delays’

Transport Department officials said the issue cropped up last year in November, when many scooters were found left unattended at the company’s workshops. Officials said after owners of the electric scooters in Goa approached the department, a warning was issued to the company, and in a subsequent hearing, it gave an assurance that all the issues would be resolved.

The matter resurfaced earlier last week when a group of scooter owners staged a protest against the company for allegedly failing to service their scooters. The owners submitted a memorandum to Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, urging the government to halt the sales of the company’s electric scooters in the state.

Director of Transport P Pravimal Abhishek said the department took note of the hardships faced by customers and blocked VAHAN registration of the scooters. “It is unfortunate that the same issue has surfaced again this year. More than 2,000 vehicles were left unattended at their workshop for want of repair and maintenance, which is unacceptable. The aggrieved parties approached the Chief Minister and the Transport Department for assistance,” he said.

He said the Transport Department has also advised the scooter owners to approach the consumer court and claim monetary relief. “We informed them that if they wish to approach the consumer court, the department would provide them free legal aid in drafting petitions and complaints, and support them,” he said.

“We have met the representatives of the company, and we have been assured of compliance and cooperation. The representatives have assured that they have increased manpower nearly eight-fold at their workshop in Goa and brought the spare parts, and also that most of the pendency has been cleared. We have been told that the department may, at its discretion, conduct an inspection in the coming days. After inspection, once the department is satisfied that all concerns have been addressed, we will take a decision on whether to revoke the suspension,” said Abhishek.

The Indian Express has reached out to Ola Electric for its comment on the development, but has not yet received a response.