HT Digital
Tuesday, October 29: Metro share taxi operators in Guwahati have announced that they will halt their services beginning November 10 if their grievances regarding unregulated e-rickshaw operations and burdensome fines remain unaddressed. On Monday, the All Guwahati Metro Share Taxi Owners’ Association voiced concerns that the increased movement of e-rickshaws and e-autos along major city roads has made it difficult for share taxi owners to maintain their businesses. This challenge, compounded by significant penalties levied by the transport department, has forced many to the brink of financial collapse.The association’s president, Dip Majumdar, outlined the impact of the influx of e-rickshaws over the past three to four years. According to him, the Motor Vehicles Act restricts the movement of these vehicles on main roads, yet their numbers have continued to climb, creating traffic congestion that affects both commuters and traditional transport providers. E-rickshaws, Majumdar argued, are essential for “last-mile connectivity” in neighborhoods where city buses and share taxis are not available, but their unrestricted access to main routes is undermining the financial viability of share taxi operators. The association is asking for clear restrictions on e-rickshaws along major city roads, with a firm request that action be taken by November 10.“If no action is taken within the given time, we will halt our services,” Majumdar stated. He further explained that Guwahati’s metro share taxi drivers are seeing a sharp decline in their customer base due to congestion caused by e-rickshaws, which impacts both efficiency and profits. Currently, there are around 1,760 metro share taxis operating in Guwahati, with some of the busiest routes including the Khanapara to Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport route, where 371 share taxis are active, and the Nepali Mandir to Balaji Temple route with 285 taxis on the National Highway-37.Majumdar also highlighted that a significant number of share taxis are burdened by arrears, which pose additional hurdles for operators who wish to stay in business. “Almost all taxis have accrued fines totaling between Rs 70,000 and Rs 80,000. Without paying these fines, we are unable to renew essential documentation,” he said. He stressed that it is unrealistic to expect operators to settle these debts while simultaneously facing substantial operational losses.The financial challenges for share taxi drivers in Guwahati are not new but have grown more severe with the rise of e-rickshaw numbers. The combination of increased competition and high fines has left many unable to maintain profitability. As a result, the operators are seeking regulatory intervention to preserve a balance that would allow both e-rickshaws and share taxis to coexist without overwhelming Guwahati’s roads or sidelining traditional transport providers.The association’s stance reflects a call for policy changes that could relieve some of the financial pressure on share taxi operators, allowing them to continue serving commuters without jeopardizing their economic stability.
