Meghalaya Travel Restrictions Spark Fear and Uncertainty Among Assam Taxi Drivers and Visitors | Guwahati News
Guwahati Worries Over Meghalaya Travel Restrictions
Guwahati: Recent travel restrictions imposed by the Hynniewtrep National Youth Federation (HNYF) have sparked fear and uncertainty among Assam commuters and taxi drivers heading to tourist spots in Meghalaya. On Friday, HNYF members blocked numerous vehicles from Assam at Umtyngngar in East Khasi Hills, citing the adverse impact of Assam tourist taxis on local taxi drivers’ livelihoods in Meghalaya. Umtyngngar serves as a key route to popular destinations like Sohra, Cherrapunjee, and Dawki.
The blockade has heightened safety concerns among Assam tourists, significantly reducing their numbers. According to Nitul Das, Executive President of the All Guwahati Tourist Taxi Drivers’ Union, usual tourist traffic to Shillong was halved on Saturday due to the incident. He warned that this fear-driven reduction could harm Meghalaya’s tourism industry.
Guwahati taxi drivers commended the Meghalaya government and police for their swift action, which included arresting 10 HNYF members and filing cases against them. Krishnakshi Sharma, a Guwahati-Shillong commuter, voiced frustration over such interstate issues, calling for a harmonious relationship free of such disruptions.
Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong condemned the HNYF’s actions and assured that such events would not recur. This follows a request from the All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association in July to ban out-of-state vehicles from transporting tourists to local attractions—a proposal the Meghalaya government did not adopt.
In related news, the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa supported Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho against threats from the local taxi lobby, advocating for app-based taxi services to enhance business efficiency. Meanwhile, correspondent reports highlighted Karachi’s ranking as one of the riskiest cities for tourists and revealed Indian government plans to develop Vishnupad and Mahabodhi Temple corridors into world-class destinations.
With regional travel dynamics in flux, Meghalaya and Assam must navigate these challenges to sustain safe and prosperous tourism ecosystems.
Original Story https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/fear-and-anxiety-among-assam-taxi-drivers-and-visitors-due-to-meghalaya-travel-restrictions/articleshow/112072455.cms
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