Taxi association begins protest week, wants govt to restrict movement of tourist vehicles from outside
SHILLONG, Sep 9: In the wake of growing demands from local taxi drivers and transport associations for restrictions on tourist vehicles from Assam, Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh has made it clear that there will be no official restriction on Assam vehicles from entering tourist destinations in Meghalaya.
His remark comes just hours after the All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association (AKMTTA) launched a week-long “black flag” protest demanding restrictions on Assam cab from ferrying passengers to tourists spots in the state.
The minister emphasised that Assam remains an important source of tourism for Meghalaya, particularly because of the state’s reliance on Guwahati airport, railway station, and other facilities.
“It is a pure fact that Meghalaya depends more on Assam rather than Assam depending on us,” Lyngdoh remarked.
Given these factors, Lyngdoh urged local drivers and transporters to open discussions with their counterparts in Assam rather than creating divisions.
“They have to know whom to approach and how to approach. They should ensure that in the process of wanting more, they do not shoot their own foot,” he cautioned.
Lyngdoh recalled that the government organised two stakeholders’ meet with everyone connected with the tourism sector, including transporters, hoteliers, homestay owners, drivers’ associations, and guides. He explained that the discussions were broad involving various concerns within the tourism sector, but at no point was there any demand for denial of entry to tourist taxis from Assam.
The minister acknowledged the complexities within the local taxi ecosystem, noting that around 60% of drivers in the state do not belong to any association, while the remaining 40% are split into several groups.
This fragmentation, he suggested, made it difficult to have a uniform approach towards an amicable resolution of the issues at hand.
“How do you talk to such a large number of groups when there is not even uniformity of approach amongst them?” Lyngdoh questioned.
He was quick to point out that while there is tension over the influx of Assam taxis, the reality is that Meghalaya faces a shortfall of roughly 3,000 vehicles to meet the growing demand from tourists.
Earlier in the day, AKMTTA began a “black flag week” protest against the failure of the government to comply with its request to ban vehicles from outside from ferrying passengers to tourist spots in Meghalaya.
The members of the association gathered at Khyndai Lad where they fastened black flags on the tourist taxis. These vehicles will display the black flags while moving with or without passengers till September 14.
About 30 taxi associations from across the state are supporting the protest.
Similar protests are being held at the headquarters of the Khasi and Jaintia Hills districts, including Nongstoin, Nongpoh, and Khliehriat.
AKMTTA president Ricaldinus Dohling told reporters that they have been compelled to hold this protest since the government has been indifferent to their demands.
He said that they would resort to other forms of agitation in the next phase if there is no positive response from the government.
He said they expected the government to respond to either accept or reject their demand.
He said that tourist taxis from outside Meghalaya can bring tourists and other passengers to the state. “But the right to ferry them to different tourist spots should belong to the local tourist taxis,” Dohling said.
he said they had decided not to attend the Tourism Conclave in August since they felt it was not a proper forum to discuss their demand.
“We want the government to hold a separate meeting for one-to-one discussions,” he said, questioning the government’s decision to invite them to the conclave at the last minute.
“It is not proper for the government to take us for granted just because we are drivers,” the AKMTTA president said.