Cabs, private buses remain off road in Himachal

Private taxis and buses remained off the road in Himachal Pradesh Thursday as public transport operators observed a day’s strike to protest a recent hike in taxes.

The impact of the shutdown was felt more in tourist destinations of Shimla, Dharamsala, Kullu and Manali, where the locals as well as visitors faced a tough time.

“The 12-hour shutdown was complete in the state,” Harvinder Thakur, a spokesperson for the All Registered Taxi and Private Bus Operator Union, told IANS.

He said the taxi operators were protesting the increase in the annual token tax on taxis from Rs.1,300 to Rs.1,800, the permit fee from Rs.750 to Rs.2,500 and the registration fee.

The taxi operators have asked the government to roll back the increased taxes by March 5, or they would go on an indefinite strike.

The state-run Roadways ran special buses on some routes. At some places, passengers were seen sitting on on buses’ roofs.