Tourism Minister Proposes New Collaboration Between Local Taxis And Hotels To Resolve Meghalaya’s Taxi Dispute

Published on September 9, 2025

Meghalaya’s Tourism Minister, Paul Lyngdoh, has offered a solution to nan ongoing conflict betwixt section and out-of-state tourer taxi associations. Addressing nan issue, Lyngdoh suggested that section taxi operators could collaborate pinch hotels and homestays to carrier visitors alternatively of seeking restrictions connected vehicles from different states.

Lyngdoh pointed retired that section tourer taxi drivers person an inherent advantage arsenic they are acquainted pinch nan area. He emphasized nan request for them to partner pinch resorts, homestays, and hotels, enabling them to supply carrier services from airports and railway stations to section tourer destinations. This, he explained, would reside nan shortage of vehicles disposable to carrier visitors to Meghalaya while besides supporting nan section economy.

“There is simply a shortage of vehicles to bring visitors to nan state. This is nan simplest solution I tin offer,” Lyngdoh remarked. He further suggested that nan differences betwixt Meghalaya’s and Assam’s tourer taxi associations should beryllium resolved done speech alternatively than unilateral actions, arsenic some states run wrong nan aforesaid tourism sector.

Tourist Taxi Associations astatine Odds

The ongoing conflict stems from nan caller determination by nan All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association (AKMTTA) to prohibition Assam-based tourer taxis from entering Meghalaya. In retaliation, nan Tourist Transporters’ Association of Assam (TTAA) threatened to enforce akin restrictions connected taxis from Meghalaya entering Assam.

Local taxi drivers successful Meghalaya person besides expressed concerns, advocating for nan authorities to enforce a prohibition connected tourer vehicles from different states accessing celebrated tourer spots successful nan state.

Concerns Raised by HITO

Meanwhile, nan Hynñiewtrep Integrated Territorial Organisation (HITO) has raised its concerns complete nan property connection issued by nan President of nan Assam Tourist Transporters’ Association. HITO President Donbok Dkhar pointed retired that nan connection implied Meghalaya was nether Assam’s jurisdiction, a proposal that contradicts nan existent governance building successful nan region.

Dkhar clarified that nan actions of nan AKMTTA were intended to modulate tourer activities wrong Meghalaya, successful statement pinch section governance practices adopted by colony councils (dorbar shnong) and accepted colony authorities (hima). He emphasized that nan association’s efforts were not aimed astatine restricting extracurricular taxis but alternatively were meant to beforehand nan usage of section transportation, which would use nan organization and its economy.

Encouraging Dialogue for Sustainable Tourism

Dkhar further explained that, overmuch for illustration successful Assam, section carrier is often required to entree tourer destinations owed to restrictions connected backstage vehicles. For example, successful Assam, visitors to Kaziranga National Park and Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary typically trust connected section carrier for guided tours and to comply pinch regulations. Dkhar urged nan authorities to support initiatives that empower section carrier services and amended nan section economy, alternatively than allowing extracurricular forces to disrupt this harmonious attack to tourism management.

“We judge each organization should person nan autonomy to make decisions that protect its interests. We impulse nan authorities to return action against those undermining this balanced attack to tourism,” Dkhar concluded.

Looking Ahead

The tensions surrounding this rumor bespeak nan increasing request for cohesive policies that beforehand sustainable tourism while respecting section governance and nan livelihoods of those progressive successful nan sector. Lyngdoh’s telephone for collaboration betwixt section taxi services and hospitality providers could service arsenic a exemplary for different regions facing akin disputes. By fostering partnerships that use some visitors and section businesses, Meghalaya has nan opportunity to heighten its tourism offerings while addressing logistical challenges.