Archive · 24 Dec 2025
Hill-Plains Tourist Taxi Dispute in North Bengal
There's a big argument between taxi drivers from the hills and the plains in north Bengal.
The plains drivers don't want hill taxis to pick up tourists in the plains, and the hill drivers don't want plains taxis to take tourists around the hills.
This is because they are worried about losing their jobs.
The government is trying to fix this problem with a meeting on December 24.
Everyone is waiting to see what happens because this fight is hurting the tourism industry, especially during the busy Christmas and New Year season.
Tourist vehicles registered in the Darjeeling hills are barred from picking up passengers in Siliguri, Bagdogra, New Jalpaiguri, and Terai hotels.
The decision was made by tourism and transport associations in the plains after a meeting on December 20.
The restriction does not apply to regular public transport or essential passenger and goods movement.
Around 300 tourist vehicles ply between the hills and the plains daily, especially during the festive season.
The GTA has called a meeting on December 24 to resolve the issue with representatives from both sides.
- Who
- Tourism and transport associations in the plains of north Bengal, Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), Driver Associations, BJP MP Raju Bista
- What
- Decision to bar hill-registered tourist vehicles from picking up passengers in the plains and ongoing dispute over sightseeing trips in the hills
- When
- Effective from December 20, 2023, with a meeting scheduled for December 24, 2023
- Where
- Siliguri, Bagdogra, New Jalpaiguri, and Terai region
- Why
- Disagreement over allowing plains vehicles for sightseeing in the hills and protecting livelihoods of local taxi operators
- Regions Affected
- Siliguri, Bagdogra, New Jalpaiguri, Terai
- Vehicles Affected
- Tourist vehicles registered in Darjeeling hills
- Date of Decision
- December 20, 2023
- Meeting Date for Resolution
- December 24, 2023
- Number of Vehicles Affected
- Approximately 300 daily
- Key Stakeholders
- Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), Joint Forum, Driver Associations, BJP MP Raju Bista
