Garhwal Post Bureau
Mussoorie, 2 Apr: A high-level meeting was held at the Transport Headquarters to address the issue of exorbitant parking fees being levied on taxi drivers at Jolly Grant Airport, as well as the opposition to the operations of Ola and Uber services. This meeting was convened under the chairmanship of Transport Secretary Brijesh Kumar Sant, acting on the directives of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. The meeting was attended by a delegation—including Sundar Singh Panwar, the State President of the Uttarakhand Taxi-Maxi Federation—along with senior officials from the Transport Department. Airport Director VCH Negi, Transport Commissioner SK Singh and other officials were also present at the meeting. During the meeting, the Transport Secretary issued directives to reduce the taxi parking fee at Jolly Grant Airport from the current rate of Rs 345 to a range of Rs 100 to Rs 150. The airport administration has given an assurance that action regarding this matter will be taken by 10 April. The Federation voiced its opposition to allowing Ola and Uber services at the airport, arguing that their presence adversely affects the livelihoods of local taxi operators. Additionally, a demand was raised to halt the annual 5% tax hike currently being imposed on transport operators within the state.
Representatives of the Federation stated that the issues concerning high parking fees and taxi operations not only increase the financial burden on business operators but also exert economic pressure on pilgrims and tourists visiting the state, thereby tarnishing the state’s image. The Federation has decided to meet Transport Minister Pradeep Batra shortly to discuss these issues. Following the meeting, hope for relief has emerged among taxi operators. If the reduction in parking fees is implemented within the stipulated timeframe, it will directly benefit thousands of transport operators and simultaneously alleviate the financial burden on passengers.
