SHILLONG: The plight of commuters in the city has aggravated with the beginning of the festive season as many cabbies, who are in the habit of plying according to the their whims, are refusing to accept passengers.
Hundreds of passengers are seen waiting for taxis at Khyndailad. A passenger said this is a common scene round the year when local cabbies run high on their attitude. “Their common reply is that they want the entire vehicle to be reserved,” an annoyed passenger said.
Passengers said the problem of taxis not accepting passengers is not only confined to Police Bazar but could be experienced anywhere in Shillong, including Last Stop, Jhalupara, Laitumkhrah and others.
People are also questioning the State Government’s delay in starting the 40-50 JNNURM buses which have been already sanctioned. But the buses are gathering dust in different government parking yards.
When contacted, East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner said he would have a discussion with the SP (Traffic) and District Transport Officer to regulate everything. “I will tell them to mobilise our resources to see that people do not suffer.”
He further said as per rules, local taxis cannot refuse a passenger.
The DC also said anyone who has been overcharged can contact SP (traffic) Deputy Commissioner or the District Transport officer along with details and action would be taken against such cabbies.
Meanwhile, East Khasi Hills SP M Kharkrang said a lot of complaints have come to Shillong Traffic Police that a number of local taxis are refusing to ferry passengers within the city even though the taxis have no passenger.
Such aggrieved passengers are requested to call up directly to the Police Control Room Phone No. 0364-2226042 / 0364-2222277 informing about the same mentioning the taxi vehicle number and police will initiate legal action against them.
Meanwhile, cracking down on rural taxis plying within Shillong City, Shillong Traffic Police detected 29 such taxis and a fine of Rs.11,300 was realized from them.
SP M Kharkrang said that that the green and white local taxis are meant to ply in rural areas only and can come to Shillong only for ferrying passengers from rural area to the city. They are not allowed to ferry passengers within Shillong city.
