Shillong: The All-Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxis Association (AKMTTA) has urged Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma to establish a reciprocal transport agreement with Assam, aiming to benefit transporters in both states.
In a letter to CM Sangma on Tuesday, the association proposed a symmetric arrangement to protect the mutual interest of the transporters of both states.
AKMTTA president Ricaldison Dohling suggested an agreement like the Sikkim-West Bengal Reciprocal Transport Agreement (RTA) to increase earning opportunities for local taxi drivers through state carriage permits, special permits, and private service vehicle permits.
AKMTTA suggested the introduction of Meghalaya Motor Vehicle and Taxation Rules to streamline transportation regulations.
The association also suggested 24/7 Info Centers at Guwahati Airport and railway station, and Shillong Airport in Umroi, to provide tourists with essential information.
Further, AKMTTA also demanded the setting up of tourism permit-issuing check points at the entrance of all tourist sites in the state.
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The association highlighted the pressing livelihood concerns of tourist taxi owners and drivers in the Khasi Jaintia region.
The association clarified that they are not in favour of any ban on the entry of vehicles from other states to Meghalaya. Instead, they suggested a system where commercial vehicles would drop tourists at designated locations and local cabbies could then provide transportation to tourist spots.
AKMTTA recently staged a public rally at Malki Ground in Shillong to challenge the state government’s stance on tourism and local transport. During the rally, the association urged the Meghalaya government to restrict tourist vehicles from Assam and other states from ferrying visitors to Meghalaya’s tourist spots.
