The Sikkim government has set fixed taxi fares between Nathula and Gangtok to prevent tour operators from overcharging. The Principal Secretary (Tourism & Civil Aviation Department) C S Rao issued an order fixing the fare for luxury and normal vehicles at INR 7,000 and INR 6,500, respectively, including the permit charge, for a round trip between Nathula and the state capital Gangtok with immediate effect.
The Tourism and Civil Aviation Department has also made its contact number and police check post public in case of any issues related to excess fare charges. Visitors facing issues with excess fares can contact the Tourism & Civil Aviation Department at 9434182178, the Police Check Post at 7908081127, and the Transport Department at 9434126851.
Violators of the specified rates will be dealt with strictly in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Central Motor Vehicle Act 1988 & CMV Rules 1989, and Sikkim Motor Vehicles Rules 1991 by the Transport Department, as stated in the order. The Tourism and Civil Aviation Department has also limited the permits for Nathula to 800 vehicles up to June 30.
This Office Order was issued following a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Secretary V B Pathak, attended by DGP A K Singh, along with officials from the Additional Chief Secretary, Home, Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, and Transport Department. The central government had recently criticized the state government for the high taxi fares and travel permits charged by tour operators to tourists visiting Sikkim.
(With inputs from PTI)