Officials of the All Nagaland Taxi Association (ANTA) Wokha Unit conducted a field visit along the Foothills Road from Merapani to Liphanyan Doyang bridge as part of their annual action plan to assess the progress of ongoing road development projects.

During the inspection, the team observed that gravel chips filling works have been completed in some sections, while major portions of the road have done earth cutting. Construction of iron bridges is nearing completion at certain locations; however, these are yet to be properly connected with the road. The officials noted that significant work remains to be completed for the full development of the road.

The ANTA Wokha Unit has strongly appealed to the concerned department and the contractors to expedite the remaining works and ensure the project is completed within the stipulated time frame without further delay.

The Association highlighted the hardship faced by the inter-state taxi operators reasons best known to them. As part of the visit, the team also stopped at the Governor’s Camp at Liphanyan and Koro Village.

On the second day of the tour, the officials conducted an observation drive starting from Merapani foothills and found that several private vehicles were operating illegally as taxis under the jurisdiction of the ANTA Wokha Unit. This unauthorized practice is severely affecting the livelihood of genuine permit holders, it said.

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The team held discussions with members of the Merapani private vehicle operators (Assam-based) who are plying under the Wokha Unit’s jurisdiction without valid taxi permits and are reportedly violating the Regional Transport Authority (RTA)-approved taxi fares.

The ANTA Wokha Unit has issued a strict directive to all private vehicles operating as taxis under its jurisdiction to immediately cease such illegal practices and obtain proper taxi permits. It reiterated that, as per the resolution passed in the General Meeting held on November 23, 2025, all private vehicles plying without permits under its jurisdiction have been banned with effect from March 31, 2026.

Any violation of this directive would attract strict penal action as per the guidelines of ANTA and the executive decision of the unit.

The Association has also appealed to the concerned authorities to closely monitor such vehicles and book offenders under the Motor Vehicles (MV) Act.