Meghalaya Group Urges Governor to Address Assam Transporters’ Blockade Threat

The Hynñiewtrep Integrated Territorial Organisation (HITO) has raised alarm over a potential blockade of essential goods by Assam’s transporters, urging Meghalaya Governor CH Vijayashankar to intervene.

In a letter dated Monday, HITO expressed deep concern over a statement from the Tourist Transporter Association of Assam (TTAA), which hinted at halting the supply of critical services to Meghalaya in response to restrictions on Assam-registered vehicles.

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HITO’s letter highlighted the TTAA’s threat as “deeply troubling and unacceptable,” emphasising the severe implications of disrupting essential supplies to Meghalaya. The TTAA’s statement was a reaction to demands by the All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association (AKMTTA) to limit the entry of out-of-state vehicles into Meghalaya’s key tourist destinations.

The TTAA, backed by the Motor Paribahan Sanmilita Sewakarmi Mancha, Assam, warned that continued restrictions by AKMTTA would lead to a suspension of all transport operations to Meghalaya. This would include barring Meghalaya-registered vehicles from picking up or dropping passengers at Guwahati’s railway station or airport and blocking essential service vehicles, such as food trucks and petroleum tankers, potentially turning Meghalaya into a “zero-tourist zone.”

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In its appeal to the governor, HITO defended AKMTTA’s stance, arguing that the group’s efforts aim to responsibly regulate tourism activities in Meghalaya.

The organisation noted that similar practices are common in local councils and village authorities across the state. It also pointed out that Assam enforces comparable restrictions, requiring authorised local vehicles for access to attractions like Kaziranga National Park and Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary. HITO stressed that such measures are standard for managing tourism sustainably and urged the governor to address the escalating tensions to prevent disruptions that could harm both states’ economies and residents.