Meghalaya Taxi Association drivers seek ban on out-of-state vehicles ferrying passengers to tourist spots

Digital Desk: The All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association is advocating for a ban on tourist vehicles from other states ferrying passengers from Shillong to various tourist spots within Meghalaya. To further their cause, a delegation from the association met with Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh on Tuesday and submitted a memorandum highlighting their concerns.

The association substantiated its demand by claiming that local taxi drivers are incurring significant losses due to out-of-state vehicles transporting tourists to scenic locations in the state. 

“We passed a resolution on July 1, unanimously deciding to request the government to address this issue. We have asked Minister Lyngdoh to issue a government order banning all out-of-state vehicles from carrying passengers from Shillong to different tourist spots,” the association stated after the meeting with Lyngdoh.

The association clarified that their demand does not intend to harm the prospects of tourism in the state but aims to facilitate better opportunities for local taxi drivers. Citing a survey by the Directorate of Tourism, the association noted that daily, there are 3,543 vehicles transporting tourists in the state, of which 2,437 are from outside. “The increasing number of tourist vehicles from other states is depriving local drivers of their livelihood,” the association further stressed.

As a solution, the association suggested that the state government identify designated locations, such as the ISBT, as stop points for tourist vehicles coming from outside the state. From these locations, local tourist vehicles can ferry passengers to various destinations within Meghalaya.

This is not the first time the association has presented such a demand to the government. In November 2023, they urged for the implementation of a similar policy. The government, however, has yet to officially respond to the demand.

This initiative by the All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association highlights the ongoing struggle of local taxi drivers to secure their livelihoods amid the influx of out-of-state competition.