4 days ago
Darjeeling Taxi Group Seeks Restriction on Plains Cabs' Sightseeing
A taxi drivers’ group in the Darjeeling hills has asked taxis from Siliguri and nearby plains areas not to take tourists sightseeing in the hills.
The request is supposed to begin on September 1.
The group included Tiger Hill among the places where it wants the restriction followed.
Hill taxi owners say plains-based cabs may be taking away their business.
Taxi owners in Bagdogra disagree and say they have official permits to travel across the district.
They are waiting for the administration to explain which vehicles may operate.
A tourism association also wants officials to help settle the disagreement.
The state transport department is looking into the matter.
The Sanjukta Chalak Mancha asked Siliguri and other plains-based vehicles to stop sightseeing services in Darjeeling from September 1.
The association specifically included popular destinations such as Tiger Hill in its request.
Hill taxi owners reportedly believe cabs from the plains are affecting their businesses.
Bagdogra taxi operators said their permits allow them to travel across Darjeeling district and requested administrative clarification.
Tourism representatives said the district administration should resolve the dispute to prevent inconvenience for tourists and protect the tourism industry.
- Who
- The Sanjukta Chalak Mancha, plains-based taxi associations, tourism representatives, and government transport authorities.
- What
- The hill taxi association urged Siliguri and other plains-based vehicles to stop conducting sightseeing services in Darjeeling from September 1.
- Where
- Darjeeling’s hill sightseeing destinations, including Tiger Hill, involving vehicles based in Siliguri, Bagdogra, and other plains areas.
- When
- The requested restriction is to begin September 1; the association’s executive committee met on the preceding Thursday, though the year is not specified.
- Why
- Hill taxi owners reportedly believe that plains-based cabs are affecting their sightseeing business.
Hill Taxi Association
Plains Taxi Operators and Tourism Representatives
Whether plains vehicles should conduct sightseeing
Hill Taxi Association
The Sanjukta Chalak Mancha asked Siliguri and other plains-based vehicle owners and drivers not to provide local sightseeing services in Darjeeling from September 1, saying hill taxi businesses are affected.
Plains Taxi Operators and Tourism Representatives
The Bagdogra Taxi Owners’ Welfare Association said its vehicles have permits to travel across Darjeeling district and is not giving much importance to the request while awaiting administrative clarification.
Who should decide vehicle restrictions
Hill Taxi Association
The Sanjukta Chalak Mancha said its committee would monitor sightseeing points and take the matter to the authorities concerned.
Plains Taxi Operators and Tourism Representatives
The Eastern Himalaya Travel & Tour Operators Association said only the district administration can decide on restricted cab movement and urged officials to consult the hill association.
Impact on tourism
Hill Taxi Association
The hill association’s position seeks to protect local taxi operators’ sightseeing business.
Plains Taxi Operators and Tourism Representatives
Tourism and transport representatives said the dispute should be resolved so tourists do not face inconvenience and the tourism industry is protected.
Key facts
- Requesting association
- Sanjukta Chalak Mancha
- Requested start date
- September 1
- Affected sightseeing area
- Darjeeling hills, including Tiger Hill
- Bagdogra fleet
- The Bagdogra Taxi Owners’ Welfare Association says its members operate around 200 cabs daily in the hills and plains.
- Permit position
- The Bagdogra association says its vehicles have permits from the Darjeeling district administration and transport department to travel across the district.
- Administrative response
- Tourism minister Shankar Ghosh said the state transport department is examining the matter.
Quotes
Sanjukta Chalak Mancha
Association representing taxi drivers in the Darjeeling hills
“Only the district administration can decide on the restricted movement of cabs. The officials should talk to the association that has come up with the appeal so that the taxi owners and drivers from the plains, more importantly tourists, do not face any inconvenience in the hills.”
telegraphindia.com
“We have the permits issued by the Darjeeling district administration and the transport department to travel across the district. So, we are not attaching much importance to such a request and want the administration to clarify the issue.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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