Tourist Police team conducts surprise check of Taxi operators, other tourist traders

Realizes fine of Rs one lakh from erring operators

5 Dariya News

Srinagar 27-May-2016

A team of J&K Tourist Police Enforcement Wing headed by Amarjit Singh, KPS, Superintendent of Police, accompanied by SHO, P/S TRC Srinagar, Incharge Tourist Police Post Sonamarg & Shafqat Ahmed, Tourist Officer Sonamarg, conducted a surprise check of Taxi operators, Pony Walas & other tourist traders at Sonamarg.In a statement issued to KNS, During the surprise check fine of Rs.10,000/- and papers of various vehicles were impounded. Last month similar drive under Director Tourism, Kashmir was carried out in which fine of Rs. 1.00 Lakh was realized by the Tourism and Transport Department from the erring taxi drivers against violation of Tourist Trade Act as they were found overcharging the tourists.Moreover, the tourists visiting Zero Point Sonamarg and other destinations like Thajiwas, Fish Point were briefed about the rate fixed by the Tourism Department for local site seeing of the area. A meeting was arranged with different stakeholders of tourism industry of Sonamarg in the office chamber of CEO Sonamarg which was presided by CEO Sonamarg Shabir Ahmad KAS & SP Enforcement, attended by SHO P/S Sonamarg, Tourist Officer Sonamarg, Taxi Operators Association Sonamarg, Pony Wala Association and SHO Tourist Police Srinagar. Various issues regarding smooth functioning of tourism in Sonamarg came up in the meeting, especially complaints regarding overcharging and cheating by the taxi operators and Pony Walas of Sonamarg. Ways & means to curb the menace of cheating and overcharging and to streamline the visit of tourists to different destinations of Sonamarg and their hassle-free stay were also discussed in the meeting. All the participants/stakeholders agreed to cooperate with the Tourism Department and local administration in making the Sonamarg, best tourist destination. (KNS)