The state government has formed a committee headed by the Director of Tourism and comprising members from the Tourism and Law Departments, police, district administration and other stakeholders to find a way forward on the issue of the tourist taxi drivers.
A section of local tourist taxi drivers are adamant that only they be allowed to ferry tourists from Shillong to other parts of Meghalaya for sightseeing. Under their plan tourist taxis from other states would only be allowed to bring tourists up to Shillong.
Up until now the state government has been lukewarm to the idea, citing the difficulty in restricting tourist taxis from outside the state if they have a national permit or regional one that covers Meghalaya. There is also the fear that Assam-based drivers and others might effectively blockade Meghalaya in a tit-for-tat reprisal.
Responding to local drivers’ concerns, Sangma said today that a committee has been constituted to arrive at a “comprehensive analysis” of the numbers of tourists coming into the state, how local drivers are affected by the status quo and solutions to problems.
“We want to come out with a decision once we are able to assess the situation in a detailed manner and give a fair chance to all the stakeholders to express their concerns about this issue,” Sangma said.
