SHILLONG: The spate of night road blockades and bandh called by the pro-ILP syndicate have now begun to take their toll on private travel agencies operating in the city who have complained of revenue loss due to plummeting business.
“Usually four buses used to ply from Shillong to Silchar, Karimganj and Aizawl, but due to the night road blockade we are now sending only one bus to Silchar,” V Ralte, associated with Capital Tours and Travels, said.
He also informed that his agency has been suffering loss of Rs 3000 to Rs 5000 per day since three buses have been stalled.
Meanwhile, the association of tourist drivers in the city has also complained of monetary losses suffered by the tourist drivers and owners due to the ongoing agitational programmes called by the pro-ILP groups.
Line Secretary of the Khasi Hills Tourist Taxi Association, Thambu Singh, informed during the last few days, only 10 to 12 tourist taxis have been ferrying passengers between Shillong to Guwahati, which is significantly lees compared to the usual number of 30 to 35 vehicles which plies on NH-40.
“The last tourist vehicle to Guwahati leaves at 4 pm since passengers fear to take to the highway in the evening,” Singh said, adding that the daily revenue collection at the counter has gone down from Rs 2000 in the past to only Rs 500 these days.