Group wants ban on commercial vehicles from other states to M’laya tourist spots

SHILLONG, July 9: The All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association on Tuesday urged the state government to ban all commercial vehicles from other states from ferrying passengers from Shillong to various tourist spots within Meghalaya.
Representatives of the association met with Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh and submitted a memorandum, outlining their demand.
“Outside vehicles are free to bring tourists to our state, but it is the right and duty of local tourist vehicles to usher them to different tourist spots. The destination of outside state vehicles ends in Shillong and back to where they come from,” the association president, RD Dohling, said.
According to a survey conducted by the association, out of the 5,120 vehicles registered in Meghalaya, 4,014 often go without passengers on a daily basis. Additionally, out of the 3,543 vehicles that bring tourists into the state every day, 2,437 are from outside the state.
Dohling pointed out that these statistics corroborate the significant loss local vehicles are experiencing.
Regarding the association’s meeting with the Tourism Minister, Dohling mentioned that the latter is open to a detailed discussion on the issue and has scheduled a follow-up meeting with the association members in two weeks for further deliberations.
“We strongly urge the government to regulate the situation with immediate effect. We have high hopes in your capability of putting things right for the benefit of the state as a whole and as earning inhabitants,” Dohling added.