Dharamshala, April 7
The protest by taxi and bus drivers in Kangra district ended at around 7 pm on Wednesday. After holfing meeting with protesters, Kangra District Magistrate Hem Raj Bairwa sought one week’s time to address and resolve the grievances raised by the taxi drivers. The taxi drivers, however, warned the government that if their demands are not fulfilled within the given time, they will launch another large-scale protest.
The Public transport across Kangra district came to a standstill yesterday as private bus and taxi operators launched a massive strike to protest the closure of over 20 Regional Transport Office (RTO) and Motor Vehicle Inspector (MVI) centers. The closure of RTO offices has forced vehicle owners from remote areas, including Bara Bhangal, to travel to Dehra for mandatory vehicle passing. Drivers expressed deep frustration, noting that the long journey often necessitates a two-day stay, leading to significant financial loss and personal inconvenience.
In response to these challenges, commercial vehicles yesterday remained off the roads since early morning, with drivers staging demonstrations at various locations throughout the district. The protestors are demanding the immediate establishment of Automated Testing Centers (ATC) in every tehsil of Kangra to decentralize the process and eliminate the need for long-distance travel. Union leaders have issued a stern warning that the agitation will escalate if the government fails to address their grievances promptly.
The strike has gained political momentum, with Sudhir Sharma, the BJP MLA from Dharamshala, coming out in support of the transport workers. Sharma criticized the government’s decision to close local centers, labeling it “inappropriate” and calling for an immediate reversal to restore normalcy. As commuters face widespread travel disruptions, the pressure mounts on the administration to find a middle ground and provide relief to the district’s transport sector.
