Taxi operators, hoteliers to move SC

Tribune News Service

Mandi, May 5

Taxi operators and hoteliers have decided to move the Supreme Court against the high congestion charges imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on vehicles going to Rohtang Pass in Kullu district.

In its orders today, the NGT allowed the movement of Bharat Stage-IV and 1,000 vehicles, including 600 petrol and 400 diesel vehicles, in the eco-sensitive Rohtang Pass every day.

However, petrol vehicles had to pay a congestion charge of Rs 1,000 and diesel vehicle Rs 2,500 and all commercial vehicles with a seating capacity of more than six had to pay Rs 5,000.

Him-Anchal Taxi Operators’ Union, Manali, president Puran Chand said they were left with no option but to file an appeal in the Supreme Court against high-congestion charges imposed by the NGT.

It would hit the business of taxi operators hard as the tourists would not be able pay such high charges, he said.

Manali Hoteliers’ Association president AR Thakur said it would severely affect the tourism industry not only in Manali but in the entire state.

They would request the CM to file a review petition in the Supreme Court against the NGT order, he said, adding that nobody would promote tourism from his or her pocket.

The high congestion charges would deprive thousands of people of their livelihood in the area, he said.

Before implementing the orders, the government should have found some alternative for the livelihood of thousands of people, he said.

The NGT had earlier banned diesel-run commercial vehicles in the eco-sensitive Rohtang region from May 1, but later stayed the ban till May 5.

Him-Anchal Taxi Operators’ Union secretary MD Sharma said there were nearly 2,300 taxis registered with the union and nearly 80 per cent of these were running on diesel.

Tourists would find it difficult to pay such high charges and this would ultimately not only affect the taxi business but the entire tourism industry, he said.

In its order passed on April 15, the NGT had directed the state government not to allow diesel-run vehicles for tourism purpose to Rohtang Pass from May 1. Later, the NGT had stayed the ban till May 5. However, Army vehicles, HRTC buses, private vehicles and vehicles of Lahaul residents had been exempted in the earlier order.

The state government had recently held a meeting with officials of the Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) and representatives from automobile companies for starting CNG buses in area so that environment-friendly buses could be plied to Rohtang Pass.