The committee constituted by the State government to deal with the grievances of local taxi operators committee has decided to seek written suggestions from various tourist taxi associations on the matter.
“I have asked all tourist taxi associations to submit their suggestions in writing. Once we receive their submissions, we will consult the relevant departments including police and the transport department. We will also involve other stakeholders before formulating the recommendations,” chairman of the committee and Director of Tourism Cyril V D Diengdoh told media persons here today.
Recently, the All Khasi Hills Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association (AKMTTA) had proposed implementation of a reciprocal transport agreement that would benefit both taxi associations of Meghalaya and Assam.
Diengdoh said that AKMTTA did not call for a ban on entry of Assam vehicles to Meghalaya but had suggested certain policies for tourist spots.
“I have asked them to submit these suggestions in writing. Once we receive their proposals, we will consult the transport department and other stakeholders,” he added.
Stating that the recent meeting of the committee was a preliminary discussion and no decisions were taken, Diengdoh said, “These are legal and policy matters that require time and consultation with multiple stakeholders. The committee’s mandate includes wide-ranging consultations.”
He also said that since most tourist spots in Meghalaya are managed by local communities, villages, and societies, these stakeholders would also be consulted after receiving the written suggestions from the tourist taxi associations.
Diengdoh also informed that some taxi associations had suggested for development of a mobile app listing all taxi associations and drivers.
“We agreed to develop this app through the Tourism Department. It will allow tourists to access information about the associations, drivers, and their routes, making it easier for tourists to hire local taxis,” he said.
On the suggestions for a capacity-building programme to train taxi drivers, Diengdoh said the suggestion was acceptable since in today’s time drivers also serve as tour guides, as tourists often ask for information about various destinations.
“Taxi drivers need training in tour guiding, communication skills, and other areas. The government is prepared to provide this training, and we have asked the associations to provide a list of drivers so we can plan the training programme accordingly,” he said.
These include the All Shillong Taxi Driver United Organisation, Hynniewtrep Tourist Taxi Association, Meghalaya Tourist Transporters Association and Khasi Hills Tourist Taxi Association.
During the meeting with the committee headed by Director Tourism Department, CVD Diengdoh, various suggestions were made by the representatives of the taxi associations chief amongst those on the Reciprocal Transport Agreement being implemented in other states of the country.
AKMTTA president Ricaldinus Dohling informed that the committee wanted the association to send the suggestions in writing.
Dohling said that the AKMTTA will give time to the government to look into their demands.
“We are 50 percent hopeful that our demands would be met and that the government would formulate a policy on tourists spots of the state,” he added.
Adviser of the AKMTTA, Kyrmenlang Uriah said that the Reciprocal Transport Agreement can bring many benefits to the people of the state.
Uriah said that this Reciprocal Transport Agreement is being implemented in Sikkim, between that state and West Bengal.
“Through this agreement, both the owners and drivers from both states benefit. There will not be any unfairness between any states,” he added.
This has been described as the “Sikkim model” by some but Uriah said that it is a practice of other states too, including some that are transit states like Meghalaya. “It is effective in these states and it has brought many benefits to their people,” Uriah said.
