By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Aug 26: The All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Drivers Association (AKMTTDA) staged a sit-in demonstration at Khyndai Lad on Tuesday, demanding that the state government restrict tourist taxis from outside Meghalaya from ferrying passengers to local tourist destinations.
Association president, Ricaldinus Dohling, informed that around 35 associations joined the protest in solidarity.
He said the association has been pressing for this demand since 2023, insisting that only local tourist taxis should be allowed to operate at popular tourist spots.
“Since 2023, we have been part of two committees set up by the government and even submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma. However, these committees have refused to deliberate on our core demand,” Dohling said, adding that no categorical response has been received from the government so far.
He stressed that the government must come up with a clear policy ensuring that only local taxis are permitted to ferry tourists.
Echoing this, association member Balajied Jyrwa expressed disappointment that the government, despite repeated assurances, has done little beyond forming committees. “We even met the chief minister last month, but in the past two years there has been no real progress. This protest is to remind the government that our demand remains unattended,” he said.
According to the association, taxis from neighbouring Assam dominate the tourism trade in Meghalaya.
The association suggests that such vehicles should only drop visitors in Shillong, after which tourists must use Meghalaya-registered taxis to visit nearby attractions.
This, they argue, would benefit the local economy and ensure fair opportunities for local drivers.
However, other stakeholders in the tourism sector caution that such restrictions might discourage visitors from coming to Meghalaya. The state government, too, has so far not shown support for the association’s demand.