SRINAGAR: Taking serious note of complaints from tourists regarding the menace of overcharging by Taxi and Maxi Cab drivers, Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, Tuesday strongly reprimanded vehicle owners engaged in the illegal and unethical practice of fleecing tourists by charging exorbitant rates.
Bidhuri, while advising these operators to adhere strictly to the notified rates, emphasised the importance of adopting a tourist-friendly approach to promote tourism, which sustains the livelihoods of thousands of people.
Chairing a meeting on the matter, the Div Com instructed authorities and the police to deregister vehicles whose drivers are found engaging in unethical practices and impose penalties on them. He underscored that tourists are guests and service providers have a duty to uphold hospitality standards.
Additionally, Bidhuri directed relevant departments to take action against individuals who compel tourists to change vehicles mid-route, causing inconvenience. He reiterated that all vehicles have been granted access permission to Srinagar Airport to directly transport tourists to their destinations.
Furthermore, the Div Com instructed the Tourism Department to publish the notified rates on their website and install signboards at prime locations for easy reference.
The meeting saw the participation of officials including the Deputy Commissioners of Anantnag and Ganderbal, the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Baramulla, Chief Executive Officers of Gulmarg, Sonmarg, and Pahalgam Development Authorities, Regional Transport Officer Kashmir, as well as Senior Superintendents of Police from all three districts, the Senior Superintendent of Traffic Rural, and officers from the Tourism Department.
