Taxi Union Declared Strike - 16 May 2017

There is a taxi Union strike which has been declared in Manali from 16 May morning. Please note that there will be no taxis available for pickup or drop or sightseeing purpose in Manali for next few days till the strike is called off

"Tourists visiting Kullu and Manali are upset as there is no snow near Gulaba, while the Rohtang Pass is still not opened for tourist activity. Tourists visiting here from different parts of the country were hopeful to enjoy snow activity, but they were not aware that they will have to walk all the way from Gulaba to Rahla Fall to get a glimpse of snow.

Hoteliers as well as taxi operators Declared Strike against the district administration to open the Rohtang Pass for tourist activity, which would give impetus to the tourism industry

NGT gives partial relief to Manali-Rohtang Pass taxi operators -30 May 2015

The National Green Tribunal Friday granted partial relief to taxi and luxury coach operators plying in the Manali-Rohtang Pass areas of Himachal Pradesh by staying environment compensation tax on the vehicles, but refused to relax the 1,000 vehicle limit to the scenic pass..

"As per May 5 order of tribunal, the clause (f) Each of vehicle which is permitted to Rohtang Pass for tourism purpose shall pay environmental compensation at the rate of Rs 1000 for Petrol vehicle and Rs 2500 for Diesel vehicle and clause (g) Each vehicle which carries more than six passengers would be liable to pay compensation of Rs 5000, as environmental compensation is stayed till next date of hearing," a bench headed by judicial member U D Salvi said. It posted the matter for further hearing on June 8.

The bench, however, refused to relax the limit of 1000 vehicles to 2000 per day to the 13,050 feet pass as demanded by the taxi and luxury coach operators saying it does not find any substance in their contention. During the hearing, Additional Advocate General Surya Narayan Singh who submitted the state's reply said lot of tourists were pouring in to Manali and at least for this season, the limit of 1000 vehicles should be relaxed to 2000 vehicles.

The bench, however, made it clear that if necessary, it will give only interim relief at this stage till the disposal of the main petition and asked the petitioners' counsel how many members were there in taxi operators' union and the luxury coach operators association. Senior advocate Vibha Dutt Makhija, appearing for taxi and luxury coach operators, said while the taxi union had 1621 members, the luxury coach operators association had 190 members, mostly having diesel vehicles. "Grave injustice will be done to these tourist vehicle operators if the limits are not relaxed to 2000 vehicles at this stage as it is their only way to earn livelihood," she said.

40,000 Taxis Go on Strike Against NGT Order in Himachal Pradesh

Over 40,000 taxis went off the road in Himachal Pradesh today in protest against the National Green Tribunal (NGT) order restricting the entry of vehicles to the Rohtang Pass, overlooking picturesque destination of Manali, and the imposition of a heavy cess..

the strike will continue till midnight of May 29.

n an average, about 10,000 tourists arrive in Shimla and Manali and other popular destination on a single day during the peak tourist season. Meanwhile, the indefinite strike by Manali-based Him-Aanchal Taxi Operators Union has entered the eleventh day on today. PC Thakur, president of the Him-Aanchal Taxi Operators Union, told IANS that the NGT decision would severely hit the livelihood of over 1,500 taxi drivers and those associated with the hospitality business. He said all business establishments in Manali town have also joined the strike on today. The NGT has allowed restricted movement of 1,000 vehicles, including 600 petrol-driven, for three months from May 15 across the Rohtang Pass, some 52 km from Manali. Each vehicle allowed to the Rohtang Pass for tourism purposes would pay an environmental cess at the rate of Rs.1,000 for petrol vehicles per visit whereas for diesel vehicles, the cess is Rs.2,500..

While permitting the tourist taxi operators to approach the NGT, the court declined to disturb any of the other directions involving levying of environmental compensation charge, and cap on 1,000 cars going to Rohtang from Manali.

Manali Taxi Strike , Strike Continue

Most taxis went off the roads here Wednesday to protest the government's decision not to allow chartered vehicles that are over four years old to ply to nearby tourist destination Rohtang Pass.

P.C. Thakur, president of Him-Aanchal Taxi Operators Union, which called the indefinite strike, said the government's decision would severely hit the livelihood of taxi operators and those associated with the transport business.

Thousands of tourists who descend on this tourist resort in Himachal Pradesh, have been inconvenienced while trying to visit nearby destinations. "The government has taken the decision to ban plying of vehicles on Manali-Rohtang Pass following the order of the Himachal Pradesh High Court. The taxi operators were issued notice in this regard Tuesday and they subsequently went on strike," Sub-Divisional Magistrate Vinay Dhiman told IANS.

He said the high court took the decision to ban plying of old vehicles on Rohtang to protect its fragile ecology from heavy pollution of the vehicles. At present, the eco-system of the Rohtang Pass, at an altitude of 13,050 feet, is being damaged by the increasing tourist inflow and exhaust fumes of vehicles. The picturesque Rohtang Pass, 52 km from Manali, is a major attraction for both domestic and foreign tourists.

Officials say over 2,000 vehicles go over the pass every day during peak tourist season from June till November. A major component of the traffic is also defence vehicles, with the forces transporting supplies to strategic points through the pass during the summer break.

Thakur said most of the taxis in Manali are more than four years old. "If we are not allowed to ply vehicles, how will we survive?" he said. Officials said tourists have been facing inconvenience as the state has already made it mandatory for people, travelling in a vehicle that does not bear a Himachal Pradesh registration number, to hire a local taxi beyond Kothi, 13 km from Manali towards Rohtang, which is still under a thick cover of snow..

Manali taxi strike enters day 11; tourists, hotels hit hard

Manali’s tourist taxi operators invoked ‘Black Carbon Theory,’ global warming and the Indian middle class idea of an annual holiday at the picturesque Himalayan hill station to successfully get the Supreme Court admit their case against the cess imposed on them by the National Green Tribunal.

Earlier this month, the NGT imposed an environment cess of Rs. 1,000 and Rs. 2, 500 per visit respectively for every petrol and diesel tourist vehicle from Manali going to the Rohtang Pass, reasoning that the tourist surge to the hill station posed a threat to its fragile ecology. The Him-Aanchal Taxi Operators Union said the cess was a huge blow to their livelihood.

Middle class affected The taxi operators then went on to explain how the cess not only affects them but hundreds of ordinary middle class families for whom a yearly trip to Manali was their only getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city. “But don’t middle class families now opt to fly to Singapore rather than take a taxi to Manali?” asked Justice Sikri. “I am talking about the normal middle class,” Ms. Makhija responded. When Justice Sikri asked why they couldn’t travel by bus, the senior advocate said these are families who can afford taxis rather than travel in a bus with 50 other persons. “My tourist taxis are not responsible for the environment degradation. There are heavy vehicles like army trucks, commercial ones, which pollute more. Why am I singled out?” the counsel asked for the union. The court agreed to hear the petition and issued notice to the State government, while posting the case for May 26...