Shillong, Sept 9: Officials from Assam have sought 15 days’ time to remove ‘dalals’ (middlemen) operating at Khanapara, Paltan Bazar and Guwahati Airport areas and assured to allot parking space for Meghalaya tourist taxis at the airport and railway stations.
“Assam officials have assured they will not disturb us and will provide designated places so that we can freely pick up passengers,” said Balajied Jyrwa, spokesperson of All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association (AKMTTA) after a joint meeting of tourist taxi associations and authorities concerned from both the states in Shillong on Tuesday.
The meeting discussed in detail the problems faced by Meghalaya tourist cab drivers in picking up passengers from Kamakhya railway station and Guwahati airport due to blockage and harassment, according to Jyrwa.
On the menace of brokers and middle men charging high commission, Jyrwa said, “Assam officials have sought 15 days to crack down on them. After that, we will be able to take passengers directly.”
“We suggested reviving the Joint Action Committee between Assam and Meghalaya to discuss and decide the number of vehicles to be allowed per day, as it involves trucks and all commercial vehicles of both states. We will revive the JAC and submit proposal to the government,” he said.
He said Assam will also provide a helpline number for Meghalaya drivers to contact in case of any problem.
Regarding the demand for barring outside-state vehicles from tourist spots in Meghalaya, Jyrwa said no final assurance has come yet.
“We are not satisfied on this count as there is no 100 per cent assurance to stop outside vehicles from going to tourist spots to ensure livelihood for our local people,” he said.
He informed that a follow-up meeting has been scheduled on September 28 with tourism and transport departments, hotels, guides, homestays and travel agencies to discuss why local taxis are not preferred.
“They have asked us to help identify halting points for outside vehicles at Sohra, Jaintia Hills, ISBT and other places. We will cooperate to expedite the process of restricting outside vehicles from entering tourist spots,” he added.
