Kalimpong Taxi Operators Seek District Government Intervention to Limit Sightseeing Trips to Local Taxis

The Kalimpong taxi operators' organizations have made it clear that only local taxis would be used to transport visitors while they are sight-seeing the city and its environs.

They have made a plea to the district government, highlighting the impact such sightseeing excursions have on their livelihood, to prohibit taxis from operating beyond the area.

Since local drivers will be guiding tourists to the hill town's attractions, Bijay Chhetri, assistant general secretary of Kalimpong Chalak Mahasangh, the apex body of the sixty-odd associations of taxi drivers in the hill districts, said the arrangement will be advantageous to the local taxi operators.

Every day, a few taxis arrive in the town from the outside and transport visitors on sightseeing trips. If these cars drop off and pick up visitors from hotels, other lodging establishments, and taxi stops, we have no issues. However, the local taxis should be the only ones permitted for tours. This is a common tradition in the town of Darjeeling and across Sikkim. Speaking as the head of the Kalimpong Luxury Taxi Drivers Welfare Association, Chhetri expressed optimism that the district government will take note of his arguments.

He claims that the town of Kalimpong has at least 600 local taxis.

Tucked away in the wider Himalayas, Kalimpong is renowned for its beautiful scenery and orchids.

The Durpin Cactus Garden, a scientific center, a golf course, Deolo Park, and Hanuman Tok are a few of the well-liked locations. A Durga temple and the meeting point of the Relli and Teesta rivers are two further points of interest.

A local taxi driver is acquainted with all of these locations. However, most of the time, taxi drivers from Sikkim or other locations have trouble finding the destinations, a cab driver claimed.

Another organization spokesman said that the poor visitor turnout these days is a result of the October 4 flash flood in the Teesta, which damaged parts of the area and the NH10.

"In this scenario, local taxis have very little chance of finding customers if outside taxis pick up visitors for sightseeing. A lot of taxi drivers are struggling financially. We want the government to make this deal for still another vital reason," he said.