Interstate taxi row sparks chaos at Assam-Meghalaya border

Travel between Assam and Meghalaya came to a standstill on Thursday after a simmering dispute between tourist taxi unions of the two neighbouring states escalated into a blockade at interstate border Jorabat, stranding hundreds of passengers for hours.

The flashpoint followed the All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association (AKMTTA)’s move earlier this week to restrict the entry of Assam-registered cabs into Meghalaya.

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The association argued that unchecked operations by outside taxis were eroding the livelihoods of local drivers, particularly in tourist hotspots like Shillong, Sohra (Cherrapunjee), and Dawki.

In retaliation, Assam-based transport unions launched counter-restrictions, preventing Meghalaya vehicles from operating at key hubs, including Guwahati Railway Station, Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, and finally at the crucial interstate border point at Jorabat.

With neither side willing to back down, tourists and daily commuters were left stranded, while some were forced to cancel or turn back from their journeys.

Former Meghalaya Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh appealed to the AKMTTA to seek direct dialogue with their counterparts in Assam, warning that prolonged disruptions could damage the fragile tourism economy of the hill state, which is heavily dependent on visitors from Assam and beyond.

The association has long been demanding a Reciprocal Transport Agreement with Assam, as well as broader reforms in Meghalaya’s transport policy, to protect local taxi operators from what they describe as “unfair competition.”

The crisis drew immediate intervention from Ri Bhoi district officials. Magistrate Andrew Myrthong and Additional SP Orville Massar rushed to Jorabat for talks with Assam transport representatives and leaders of the protesting unions.

Assam officials made it clear that their blockade was only a reaction to Meghalaya’s restrictions and demanded written assurances that corrective steps would follow.

Myrthong, however, underlined the wider impact of the standoff, pointing out that the blockade had disrupted not only interstate travel but also the movement of national and international passengers along the vital Guwahati-Shillong highway, which serves as a gateway to the northeast. Seeking two days’ time to negotiate a solution, he appealed for an immediate lifting of the blockade.

After hours of tense negotiations, an interim understanding was reached, allowing Meghalaya taxis to resume entry into Assam. Yet both Assam and Meghalaya unions have cautioned that further confrontation is likely if their demands are ignored.