DC to hold talks with agitating taxi association
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The East Khasi Hills District Administration has finally hinted at holding discussion with the agitating Greater Shillong Tourist Transporters’ Association (GSTTA) to end their indefinite strike from October 25 against shifting of the tourist taxi and sumo stand to the Polo Parking lot.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Jopthiaw Lyngdoh said, “I am open for a discussion with the members of the tourist taxi association to end the stalemate which has badly affected the passengers.”
He also stated that he was willing to listen to the suggestion and views given by the association to find a solution to the issue, but made it clear that he would have to consult other officials who were part of the shifting exercise before making a final call on the issue.
“I hope that the problems will be sorted out within a day or two,” Lyngdoh said, adding that the administration and the association would arrive at a combination, which will be acceptable to all.
It may be reminded that the GSTTA, on Monday, had already offered to partly shift some of the vehicles to Polo on a rotational basis if the administration was willing to provide basic infrastructure facilities for the tourist taxi drivers and passengers.
Meanwhile, there seems to be no end to the passengers’ woes despite the district administration deploying buses on the Shillong-Guwahati route to counter the agitations.
The buses are packed to the brim and many passengers have to keep standing due to lack of seats during the entire journey. Local taxis had been reaping the maximum benefit as they have been plying long distances from Shillong upto Byrnihat in Ri-bhoi district bordering Assam.
Even private vehicles are cashing in on the urgency of helpless passengers who are booking these vehicles for anything between Rs 2000-Rs 4000 for dropping the passengers at the railway station or the Guwahati Airport.
Source: The Shillong Times
