SHILLONG, Jan 18: Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic gripped the country and the state, the tourist taxi drivers have hiked the fares on their own without seeking any approval from the competent authorities. This unlooked-for inflation has started coming heavy on the pockets of people, who are dejected because of the move.
Be it the Shillong-Jowai or the Shillong- Guwahati route, the passengers are now at the mercy of the cabbies who have fixed their own fares.
A person who travels on Guwahati-Shillong road said the cabbies driving Swift Dzire nowadays charge Rs 1,000 per head from Shillong to Guwahati and vice versa. Furthermore, booking the aforesaid vehicle from Shillong to Guwahati airport costs Rs 4000 currently.
The Sumos, on the other hand, currently charge Rs 400-500 per head for the same journey.
Not only the Shillong-Guwahati route, but the cabbies, who ferry passengers from Shillong to Jowai and vice versa, have also upped the fares.
A commuter who travels Jowai from Shillong and vice versa said that Sumos currently charge Rs 250 per head while cabbies driving Swift Dzire charge Rs 300 per head.
For Shillong to Ladrymbai, a Swift Dzire currently charges Rs 500 while Sumos, on the other hand, charge Rs 400.
Some passengers say the drivers argue that they had to resort to price hike due to the social distancing norms. However, many drivers, soon after crossing the city limits, start ferrying more passengers.
There are select drivers who also maintain that they had to raise the fares owing to the increase in petrol prices.
When intimated about the matter, East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Isawanda Laloo has assured of directing concerned authorities to inquire into the matter.