SHILLONG, Dec 14: Senior Congress leader, Charles Pyngrope, has asked the state government to relax the odd-even mechanism for the public transport system.
Giving vent to his concern, he said the norm is leading to an adverse affect on the income of the taxi drivers in the city.
“I am seeing that one taxi now carries 5-6 people and; so there is no question of maintaining social distancing norm,” the senior Congress leader said.
Stating that it is unfair to have odd-even system for the public transport system, Pyngrope said the system can remain in place for private vehicles.
“I don’t think it is fair to them and this norm should be relaxed now when things have normalised,” Pyngrope said, while adding that the local cabbies must be given some relaxations as they have the onus of putting food on the table of their families.
) It may be mentioned that the passengers are also the ones to bear the brunt of the odd-even system for public transport, as due to the dearth of public cabs and buses, they have a hard time getting a paid ride.
As footfall in Khyndai Lad continues to increase due to Christmas fervour, many maintain that the odd-even protocol for public transport system should be withdrawn for public convenience.