Dispute between Leh, Manali taxi operators hits tourism

Dipender Manta
Tribune News Service
Mandi, July 12

A dispute between a taxi operators’ union of Leh and Manali in the Ladakh region on June 22 is taking a toll on the tourism industry in the state. The taxi operators’ union of Leh had damaged eight taxis of Manali taxi operators in Leh, which sparked an outrage between the two parties.

Now, the taxi operators’ union of Leh is forcing the taxi operators of Manali to return from their area without passengers.

The taxi fare has gone up drastically following the incident and is directly affecting tourists. The taxi operators’ union of Manali has urged the state government to intervene in the matter, so that the issue between the two parties could be resolved amicably.

Gupat Ram, president of the taxi operators’ union, Manali, said, “On June 22, the taxi operators of Leh damaged eight of our vehicles. Thereafter, they threatened us that they would not allow us to ferry passengers from Leh to Manali. Earlier, our taxis were ferrying tourists from Manali to Leh and back.”

He further said, “After the dispute, they have not been allowing us to carry passengers from Leh to Manali and we are doing the same with passengers bound for Leh. It will overburden the tourists and they will have to pay hefty charges to visit the region.”

“Generally, tourists pay Rs 18,000 to visit Leh from Manali, but they will have to pay Rs 25,000 after the dispute,” said a taxi operator.

Gupat Ram said, “We urge the state government to intervene in the matter because it is a matter of two states. The Manali taxi operators have the all-India permit. How can a taxi union in Leh bar us from ferrying passengers from their region?”

‘Eight vehicles were damaged’

On June 22, the taxi operators of Leh damaged eight of our vehicles. Thereafter, they threatened us that they would not allow us to ferry passengers from Leh to Manali. After the dispute, they have not been allowing us to carry passengers from Leh to Manali and we are doing the same with passengers bound for Leh.  — Gupat Ram, president, Taxi operators' union, Manali