SHILLONG: The All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association (AKMTTA) has criticized the Meghalaya government for failing to develop the state’s revenue-generation model.
The association’s comments follow recent statements by Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh, who highlighted the role of Assam in generating revenue for Meghalaya.
AKMTTA President Ricaldinus Dohling expressed disappointment with the state government’s reliance on Assam, arguing that it hinders the development of local tourism.
Earlier, Minister Lyngdoh had stated that Assam’s facilities, including the Guwahati airport and railway station, are crucial for tourism in Meghalaya.
The AKMTTA has been engaged in a week-long “black flag” protest to demand a ban on Assam-registered tourist vehicles operating beyond Shillong.
The protest, which concluded on Saturday, saw members of the association voicing their discontent over the government’s alleged reluctance to enhance local infrastructure such as hospitals and educational institutions.
The association alleged that the government’s reluctance to invest in local infrastructure, such as hospitals and educational institutions, places an undue financial burden on residents who are forced to travel to Guwahati for essential services.
The controversy has been further exacerbated by incidents of Assam-registered tourist taxis being halted by the Hynniewtrep National Youth Federation (HNYF) in July.
The HNYF argued that allowing outside vehicles to operate in popular tourist destinations like Sohra and Dawki results in financial losses for local operators.
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Despite repeated attempts to engage with the government, the AKMTTA claims that their concerns have been met with indifference and a lack of action.
The association’s criticism underscores the growing discontent among local stakeholders over the government’s perceived neglect of the tourism sector and its reliance on neighbouring states.
