Taxi Operators in Leh flag unfair competition from Private Vehicles

> Registered taxi owners seek crackdown on unauthorised commercial operations, citing growing impact on earnings and fair competition.

LEH: The Taxi Union Leh on Tuesday raised a series of concerns affecting the livelihoods of registered taxi operators, alleging that the increasing use of private vehicles for commercial purposes has severely impacted the local transport sector.

Addressing a press conference here, Taxi Union President Thinles Namgyal said the unauthorised commercial use of private vehicles has created unfair competition for licensed taxi operators, who depend on the profession as their primary source of income. He urged the Union Territory Administration and the concerned departments to take strict action against such violations to safeguard the interests of registered taxi owners.

The union also appealed to the administration to simplify official procedures related to documentation and permits, stating that taxi operators often face difficulties due to cumbersome paperwork. It sought a more streamlined and hassle-free documentation process to reduce delays and ease compliance for drivers and vehicle owners.

Besides these issues, the union highlighted several other challenges confronting the taxi fraternity and called for timely intervention from the authorities. It urged the administration to address the concerns on priority to ensure the smooth functioning of the transport sector and protect the livelihood of hundreds of families dependent on taxi services across Ladakh.

Reiterating the union’s commitment to cooperating with the administration, Namgyal expressed hope that the issues raised during the press conference would receive prompt attention and lead to practical solutions benefiting the local taxi community.