Cabbies oppose COVID-19 testing to enter Meghalaya

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Coordination Committee of Cab Operators and All India Road Transport Workers Federation (AIRTWF), Assam State committee held a meeting regarding the interstate travel restrictions for the vehicles travelling to Meghalaya.

Talking to The Sentinel, AIRTWF, Assam State committee general secretary Biren Sarma said if the Meghalaya government is not allowing vehicles to enter the State without COVID-19 tests, the State government should also do the same.

Sarma said both the organizations have been protesting against the harassment faced by cab drivers due to not being able to carry passengers to Meghalaya. In this regard, they had numerous discussions with the Transport Department, however, no solution has been presented, he added.

"On October 6, a meeting was held with Transport Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary and he assured us to find a solution regarding interstate curbs within seven days. It has been more than 15 days but yet we are in the same position as before," lamented the State AIRTWF general secretary.

Sarma said the bodies halted their decision to stage road blockade on October 19 after the Joint Commissioner of Transport Department said Dispur will discuss the issue with the Meghalaya government on October 22.

Further, he stressed, "A Transport Department official verbally informed us that during Thursday's meeting, the Meghalaya government said the commerical vehicles will be allowed to enter the State after all the driver and the passengers have their COVID tests at Byrnihat."

He asserted Assam government should not allow vehicles travelling from Meghalaya to enter the State if the Meghalaya government is doing the same.

"The State government should take initiatives for the drivers and passengers to go through COVID-19 testing before leaving the Assam boundary," Sarma added.

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