Shillong, Oct 19: A government-appointed committee constituted to examine tourist taxi associations’ demands have asked the latter to submit in written their suggestions on regulations sought on plying of outside taxis. A section of the taxis have been demanding for a ban on outside taxis taking tourists to various destinations in Meghalaya.
In a meeting convened by the committee, the All Khasi Hills Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association (AKMTTA) suggested the government to implement a “Reciprocal Transport Agreement” to benefit both taxi associations of Meghalaya and Assam.
“I requested the tourist taxi associations to submit their suggestions in writing for necessary examination,” said tourism director Cyril Diengdoh, who also heads the committee, on Friday.
The committee will examine the suggestions and consult with the departments concerned including law, police, transport and the stakeholders before sending its recommendations to the government/
Meanwhile, the committee chairman said AKMTTA had clarified that it had not sought any ban on tourist vehicles from Assam since lot of tourists come through LGBI Airport at Guwahati.
The committee will also examine similar norms, if any, introduced by other states to benefit the local cabbies.
Pointing out that most of the tourist spots in Meghalaya are run by community, dorbar shnongs and societies, he said, “Therefore, we will also be consulting the tourist spot owners after we get everything in writing (from the taxi associations),” he said.
Further, Diengdoh appreciated some of the suggestions given by taxi associations in the meeting, including an app for taxi associations and the drivers.
Based on the suggestion, Tourism department has decided to build an app that would enlist all tourist taxi associations, their respective drivers, and various routes. The app would enable tourists from outside to get access to the local operators and the various routes under one platform.
He also welcomed the suggestion for holding a capacity building programme for the drivers who now have to double up as a tour guide we well.
“We have asked them to give a list of the associations and the drivers to plan a capacity building programme,” he said.
