The Kohima District Planning and Development Board (DPDB) on Monday addressed the woes citizens shared on social media regarding the shifting of regional taxis to ISBT, Kohima – a distance of 3km away from Kohima town.

Deputy Commissioner of Kohima, Shanavas C, IAS had issued an order on 22 September for the shifting of Parking Zone/Areas for local taxis, regional taxis and buses from 1 October onwards. Along with this order, RTA had also issued a revision of rates for taxi and bus services within Kohima town and to-and-fro ISBT.

Read also: New designated Parking Zone for taxis and bus services in Kohima

Since then, people of Kohima as well as travellers have been complaining of inconveniences.

“Now getting off from ISBT, I have to pay 160 to reach Town and then an additional 100 (a total of 260) to get home. There are pink buses but I heard they used to wait until the bus is almost full to depart,” a Kohima citizen had posted on the Facebook group Naga Blog.

While another user who travels to Dimapur twice a month posted: “These r some of the woes which I am facing and also some of my friends. The Kma-Dmp fare has been reduced from 350-330 (just rs.20) but I am spending so much extra in hundreds just on the local taxi fare. Just imagine the plight of students.”

At the DPDB meeting on Monday, SDO C Sadar Chonpenthung Ezung, NCS, explained to the board that the decision to shift the regional taxis to ISBT, Kohima was taken up after a series of RTA meetings with all the concerned stakeholders. He said that the primary objective of this step was to ease the traffic congestion within the Kohima town.

Ezung also said that before shifting the taxi stand, the RTA had taken certain measures keeping in mind the welfare of the commuters, which he listed as:

• reducing Kohima-Dimapur taxi fare from Rs 350 to Rs 320
• establishing fixed RTA rates for bus and taxi services plying between Kohima town and ISBT
• introducing dedicated buses to ferry passengers – four NST buses and four Smart City buses

The RTA, in an effort to calm citizens, has informed that strict action will be taken against taxis to the extent of cancellation of license if caught levying extra charges from customers.

In the event of such incidence, RTA has requested the citizens to report to authorities (DC office) or All Nagaland Taxi Association (ANTA) (9436694693) with sufficient information such as the taxi registration number so that appropriate action may be taken.

In this regard, the rates of bus and taxi services were once again reiterated.

Rates for Kohima city taxi services:

Rates for Kohima city buses (per head):