Taxi operators catch pvt vehicle owners ferrying tourists in Manali

Mandi, February 10

The members of the Taxi Operators Union, Manali, have caught persons illegally ferrying tourists in their private vehicles in Manali and its nearby places. Carrying tourists in such a manner directly impacts the business of taxi operators in Kullu district, they say.

According to the law, vehicles bearing private numbers cannot be used as taxis to ferry passengers to earn money. This practice has been going on clandestinely in Manali for the past many years under the nose of the local administration and the police.

Two days ago, the members of the Taxi Operators Union caught a few private vehicle owners ferrying tourists towards the Solang valley beyond the Nehru Kund in Manali. They confronted the drivers of the private vehicles and warned them to shun this illegal practice.

Manali SDM Raman Sharma said, “The administration is dealing with the issue strictly and a few vehicles have been challaned. The issue has been brought to the notice of the administration and the police have started issuing challans. In such cases, a challan of Rs 10,000 is issued under law and a few vehicles have been challaned.”