Taxi drivers on an indefinite strike in Shillong on Monday. Telegraph picture

Shillong, Oct. 25: Commuters travelling to Guwahati from the Meghalaya capital had a harrowing time finding a vehicle today, with the indefinite strike launched by the Greater Shillong Tourist Transporters’ Association, though the state government had requisitioned buses to tide over the transport crisis.

Operators of Tata Sumos and tourist taxis who are part of the association did not ply their vehicles while those who are not part of the group tried to make hay by overcharging commuters. The taxis were charging anywhere between Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 for a passenger travelling to Guwahati.

The East Khasi Hills district administration, however, had made arrangements to provide more buses for Guwahati-bound passengers.

Thirteen buses of the Meghalaya Transport Corporation (MTC) and 25 private buses were requisitioned to ply on the Shillong-Guwahati route.More than 300 vehicles, other than buses, carry passengers from Guwahati to Shillong daily where a majority of people depends on Tata Sumos and tourist taxis to reach their destinations.

The association has called the indefinite strike in protest against the decision of the East Khasi Hills district administration to shift the tourist taxi stand from Police Bazar to Pologround.

Today, a few tourist taxis were, however, spotted at the stands, but they refused to pick up passengers.

The deputy commissioner, East Khasi Hills, Jopthiaw Lyngdoh, today said there was “nothing personal” in the decision to shift the taxi stand.

“The decision was taken keeping in mind the interest of the public,” Lyngdoh said.

He said the last Meghalaya Transport Corporation bus left the stand around 9.30am while the last private bus left around 11.30am for Guwahati today.“When people are more aware of the alternative arrangements that have been made, I am sure things will settle down,” Lyngdoh told reporters.

He said the government had alerted the Meghalaya Transport Corporation depot in Guwahati to allow the private operators, apart from the corporation-run buses, to park their buses so that passengers can return to Shillong.

Lyngdoh said the government had requested the Assam State Transport Corporation to publicise the alternative arrangements to ensure that passengers from Assam did not face problems.