Kohima’s two-wheeler taxis want service ‘legalised’

Our Correspondent

Kohima, May 6 (EMN): Two-wheeler taxis currently operating in the state’s capital Kohima are seeking the government’s approval to ‘legalise’ their service.

Addressing a press conference in Kohima on Monday, a member of the ‘Two-Wheeler Taxi Riders Kohima’, Chumben B Yanthan said that though the service started in 2018, it was yet to be ‘legalised’ as there is no specific regulatory guidelines for two-wheeler taxi in the Motor Vehicles Act (MVA) of 1988.

According to him, a proposal to legalise the service was submitted to the regional transport officer in Kohima last year. The minister in charge had approved it and the Finance department also gave its clearance, he said.

However, it was “quashed” last month due to the absence of guidelines in the MVA, Yanthan said. “It’s our struggle that have brought us together,” he said. There are 13 riders operating the service in and around Kohima till date.

Yanthan said that the primary purpose of the service was to provide means of employment while also tackling traffic hassle. He said that the riders have ‘received support and good feedbacks from 99%’ of their passengers.

Even the traffic personnel have encouraged them to continue their service, according to Yanthan.

However, “a few organisations and associations” have tried to stop the service on the contention that it was not ‘legalised’, he said.

The riders pointed out that Mizoram has already legalised two-wheeler taxi service. They appealed to the government of Nagaland to legalise their services as early as possible and issue two-wheeler taxi permit.

Yanthan said that their services were “user-friendly.” Apart from providing helmets and raincoats for pillion riders, they also “assist passengers in cases of accidents,” he said.

Currently they are charging INR 50 for ‘town trip.’ But the rate differs from location to location. On an average, they are said to be earning INR 1000 to INR 1500 per day.