Sunday, July 27, 2025
spot_img

EKH DC’s action sought on exorbitant taxi fares

Date:

Share post:

spot_imgspot_img

SHILLONG, Nov 17: Peeved at the undue advantage allegedly taken by cabbies, the Seng Samla Mawlai Pyllun on Wednesday met East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner, Isawanda Laloo, to apprise her about a situation wherein exorbitant taxi fares are reportedly being

Members of the Seng Samla Mawlai Pyllun handing over the memorandum to Deputy Commissioner EKH on against hike of commercial vehicles fair in the city on Wednesday. (Photo by Sanjib Bhattacharjee).

charged from passengers in the city.
Talking to reporters after meeting the deputy commissioner, president of the organisation, Samuel Biam, said that the issue came to light after complaints were received from people with regard to exorbitant fares charged by local cabbies.
He said the drivers say that the increase in fares is the result of government SOPs which they need to follow in view of COVID-19. “There is no justification to increase the fare since the taxis are carrying passengers even beyond the capacity limit. No one is following the SOPs,” Biam contradicted.
He said that there are many people who work in far-off places and cannot afford to go to work in a cab since the fares are too expensive.
However, he said that since they acknowledged the problems faced by the cab drivers, the Seng Samla urged the deputy commissioner to do away with the order which paved way for odd-even rule.
“We had urged the Deputy Commissioner if this notification of odd and even number can be revoked with the improvement in the COVID-19 situation. We are happy that she (Laloo) has assured to examine and probably within the next few days it will be revoked,” the organisation president said.
He, however, stressed that the taxi driver would have to bring down the taxi fares once the cabs are allowed to ply six days a week.
The organisation had also raised the issue pertaining to overcharging by Shillong Public Transport Service (SPTS) buses with the deputy commissioner. “This is not acceptable since STPS buses are expected to charge a minimal fare. But sadly they are also exploiting the situation,” the organisation president.
He also informed that the SC has assured to convene a meeting with Meghalaya Urban Development Authority on the issue.

spot_imgspot_img

Related articles

Speeding BMW kills 5-year-old girl in Noida, driver held

Noida, July 27 : A speeding BMW crushed to death a five-year-old girl and injured her father and...

Mansa Devi stampede: 13 critical shifted to AIIMS Rishikesh; helpline numbers issued

Haridwar, July 27 : Thirteen people who were seriously injured in the Mansa Devi stampede have been sent...

Woman dies in fire in Delhi’s New Usmanpur building

New Delhi, July 27:A 40-year-old woman tragically lost her life in a fire that broke out in a...

Historic decision by CM Nitish Kumar: JD(U) leaders on Safai Karamachari Commission

New Delhi, July 27:The announcement of the Bihar State Safai Karamachari Commission by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has...