Shillong: The Meghalaya government will study transport frameworks from states like Sikkim, Karnataka and Maharashtra before deciding how to address the ongoing row over Assam-registered vehicles ferrying tourists into the state, Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar said on Tuesday.
Dhar, who also holds the Transport portfolio, said senior officers of the department, along with Chief Secretary Donald Phillips Wahlang, have been instructed to consult their counterparts in other states to gather insights.
He stressed that the matter requires careful deliberation to balance competing interests.
The deputy chief minister made the remarks after a meeting with the All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association (AKMTTA), which has demanded restrictions on outside vehicles to protect the livelihoods of local drivers.
“This issue cannot be resolved overnight. It calls for patience and dialogue, and the government is committed to moving forward in consultation with all stakeholders,” Dhar told reporters, urging the association to avoid agitation while talks continue.
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The AKMTTA had recently launched protests seeking a ban on Assam taxis, but suspended their agitation following government assurances.
Tensions escalated last week after a scuffle between drivers from both states at Jorabat, the main entry point to Shillong, disrupting tourist movement.
Tourism plays a vital role in Meghalaya’s economy, with taxi services, homestays and local guides depending heavily on steady visitor inflows.
While local operators argue that unchecked access for outside vehicles threatens their earnings, officials maintain that any decision will be made only after studying successful models elsewhere.
