Local Taxi associations oppose Govt’s decision to impose odd-even system in Shillong

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 2, 2023

The East Khasi Hills Local Taxi Welfare Association (EKHLTWA) and the Synjuk Ki Nongniah Taxi Sor bad Khapsor (SNTSK) on Friday registered strong opposition against the district administration’s decision to impose the odd-even system only for public transport vehicles in the name of easing the congestion problem in Shillong. 

The delegation of the two local taxi associations met the deputy commissioner RM Kurbah separately requesting her intervention to revoke the said order. 

This came a day after the district administration had issued an order directing all public transport vehicles – SPTS buses, SSPTS – maxi cabs and black & yellow local taxis – plying from Kashari Point towards Khyndailad (Police Bazaar) and Motphran are to operate on an Odd-Even basis from June 5.

“We met the DC, who is also the Chairman of the Regional Transport Authority and expressed that we cannot accept the order since Khyndailad and Motphran are the only two major commercial areas in the region and disallowing public transport vehicles from plying through these two areas is totally not acceptable,” EKHLTWA president Wandonbok Jyrwa told reporters after the meeting.

“The DC told us that she cannot revoke the order as it was in pursuant to an order passed by the Meghalaya High Court. Therefore, we feel there is no point to continue the discussion,” he said.

When asked, Jyrwa said that the association has decided to appeal to the Meghalaya High Court against the order which is affecting the livelihood of the taxi owners and taxi drivers. The government should also be reminded that taxis are paying hefty taxes and disallowing them to ply through these two areas only shows that they are being treated as “slaves”.

“Further, the governmnet should also find out the real cause of the traffic jam in Shillong. To say that taxis are the only cause contributing to the traffic jam is not acceptable as there are also many private vehicles plying in the city. Therefore, we will appeal before the Court to ensure there is no biasness done to the local taxis,” he asserted.