By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 18: The United Democratic Party (UDP) has urged the state government to frame a clear policy to address the concerns raised by the All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association (AKMTTA).
UDP general secretary Titosstarwell Chyne on Thursday stressed that the ongoing dialogue between the government and the association must lead to a final agreement.
“The issue raised by the tourist taxi association should not be handled by the Tourism Department alone. The Transport Department must also be involved. There should be a clear policy and system to resolve the problem,” Chyne categorically stated.
On the association’s demand to bar Assam-based tourist taxis from ferrying passengers to tourist spots in Meghalaya, he said it is a complicated issue. He explained that unlike Sikkim, which is an end destination, Meghalaya is a transit state with travellers often passing through to Barak Valley, Mizoram and other places.
“Solutions must be worked out across the table, not through strikes, because tourism should not suffer,” he said, adding that barring Assam vehicles could invite retaliation, preventing Meghalaya taxis from entering Assam’s tourist destinations.
“This will create bigger problems. That is why both the Meghalaya and Assam governments must come together and find a solution,” Chyne said.
He cautioned that street protests only bring hardship. “As we saw in Sohra yesterday and in Khanapara today, people travelling to the airport or for medical treatment were left stranded,” he said.
Chyne, who is also an MDC from Sohra in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council, acknowledged that AKMTTA’s demands are genuine but expressed concern over the impact of its agitation on tourism, particularly in Sohra, which is a popular tourist destination.
“Hundreds of vehicles used to come to Sohra, with many tourists halting there. The strike has had a huge impact on tourism,” he said.
With the closure of the MCCL plant, residents of Sohra are now almost entirely dependent on tourism for livelihood. Many individuals and groups have taken bank loans and government support to start hotels and homestays.
“If disturbances like this continue, the long-term impact will be serious. Tourists will lose confidence, feel unsafe, and stop visiting. Already, many have cancelled their bookings,” Chyne warned.
He stressed that the disruption is affecting not just those directly involved in tourism but also small businesses such as tea sellers, shopkeepers, dhabas, and restaurants.
Welcoming the state government’s invitation to AKMTTA for talks, the UDP leader urged both sides to approach the discussions with seriousness.
“If there is a meeting, there should be a commitment and clear decisions. Other states like Sikkim, Odisha, and West Bengal have policies in place. Meghalaya too needs a clear system to solve this issue,” he said.
The Meghalaya Pradesh Mahila Congress (MPMC) on Thursday extended its support to AKMTTA in its “struggle for fair treatment and equal opportunities.”
MPMC president Joplyn Scott Shylla said they are deeply concerned following reports that tourist taxi drivers from Assam are preventing the drivers from Meghalaya from picking up passengers from the airport.
“Such actions unfairly affect the livelihood of hardworking tourist drivers who are integral to the state’s tourism economy,” Shylla said.
She urged the authorities of both states to address the issue immediately, ensure a neutral tourist taxi stand for all and uphold the principles of cooperation and mutual respect.
“Tourism thrives on unity and fairness, and we stand with the local tourist taxi drivers in their rightful demand for their dignity and equal opportunity access to work,” the MPMC president added.
