Dispute Between Hill and Plains Taxi Operators in Darjeeling Ends in Stalemate Amid Tensions Over Jurisdiction

KalimNews, Siliguri/Darjeeling, December 11, 2025: A crucial meeting convened by the Darjeeling district administration on Thursday to resolve the ongoing dispute between taxi operators from the hills and plains concluded in a deadlock, leaving the issue unresolved despite significant discussions. The meeting, which aimed to address the concerns of transport stakeholders and ease the tensions that have been escalating between the two groups, saw the participation of senior officials from the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), the Police department, as well as representatives from the Nationalist Taxi Drivers Association, which unites nine transport organisations from the region. Taxi operators from Siliguri, Terai, and Dooars attended the meeting via video conference, while taxi syndicates from Darjeeling were present in person.

At the heart of the disagreement lies the issue of jurisdiction, with taxi syndicates from Darjeeling expressing strong opposition to the practice of Siliguri-based drivers conducting sightseeing tours within the hills, especially in key tourist spots such as Tiger Hill. Passang Sherpa, convener of the Himalayan Transport Coordination Committee (HTCC), which represents the Darjeeling-based taxi operators, reiterated their position, stating: “It is our request that taxi drivers from Siliguri and other states not be allowed to do local sightseeing in Darjeeling. We have no issues with them picking up passengers from Darjeeling to the plains, but for us, it is an issue of preserving our local employment and revenue.”

The HTCC’s stance is rooted in the concern that allowing drivers from the plains to operate in the hills would undermine the local taxi industry, which depends on the region's tourism and provides livelihoods for a significant number of local drivers. The committee argued that there is an unwritten rule that drivers should not cross the jurisdictional boundaries between the hills and plains, thus protecting the employment opportunities and income of hill-based taxi drivers.

In contrast, taxi operators from Siliguri and surrounding areas argued that their right to conduct local sightseeing tours was within the bounds of the law. These operators, many of whom pay taxes and licence fees to the government, emphasised that their business operations should not be limited by such geographical restrictions. They pointed out that their drivers are also licensed and should be permitted to operate within the entire state, including tourist spots in the hills, without discrimination.

Despite the conflicting viewpoints, the Darjeeling district administration called for mutual cooperation between both groups, stressing that the ongoing disruptions in transport services could severely harm the district’s tourism industry, which plays a key role in the local economy. The administration urged all transport operators to maintain the status quo and refrain from disrupting services, especially as the region enters its peak tourism season.

Samrat Sanyal, a prominent tourism stakeholder, also voiced his support for maintaining the existing framework. “The Additional District Magistrate clearly instructed us to follow the existing rules under which drivers from the Dooars and Terai region are allowed to ferry tourists for sightseeing in the hills,” he said, urging both sides to honour the established guidelines to avoid further disputes.

However, despite the administration’s appeal, the HTCC voiced their frustration with the way the meeting unfolded. Sherpa expressed his dissatisfaction, noting: "We have submitted several memoranda and deputations to the administration regarding issues like traffic, road conditions, fares, taxes, and others, but no meeting had been called until now. When it comes to addressing issues in the plains, we are suddenly invited for an urgent meeting.”

The district administration, however, maintained that the transport issues needed to be resolved in a manner that would not disturb the local economy, particularly the tourism sector. The authorities cautioned that if disruptions in transport services continued, it would have a detrimental effect on Darjeeling’s tourism potential, which is vital for sustaining the livelihoods of many locals, including those dependent on transport services.

The stalemate highlights the deepening tensions between hill and plains taxi operators, who are caught in a complex dispute that touches upon local economic interests, employment concerns, and the broader issue of governance and jurisdiction. As the discussions remain unresolved, both sides are likely to continue advocating for their respective positions, with the tourism season approaching and the stakes growing higher for both the local economy and community relations in the region.