Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta convened a meeting with a delegation from the Ladakh Taxi Operator Co-operative Ltd, Leh, and Taxi Operators and Owners Co-operative Union Ltd, Kargil, led by the Member of Parliament from Ladakh, Mohmad Haneefa Jan on November 25.

The delegation presented concerns regarding the mandatory installation of Vehicle Location Tracking Devices (VLTD) as directed by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), as well as the renewal of registrations for vehicles older than 15 years.

The meeting was attended by Commissioner/Secretary Dr. L Franklin, IAS; RTO Ladakh Dr. Zahida Bano, JKAS; Additional Secretary for the Transport Department, Mohammad Usman Khan; and members of the taxi unions from Leh and Kargil districts.

The Member of Parliament apprised the Lt Governor of hardships faced by taxi operators due to the cost of VLTDs and requested the inclusion of additional vendors offering reasonably priced devices to ensure affordability.

The delegation also sought an extension for the renewal of registration for older vehicles, especially heavy vehicles like trucks and tippers. They raised additional issues including the need for state permits for all commercial vehicles in Ladakh, seamless movement of commercial vehicles from Ladakh to Jammu & Kashmir through reciprocal countersigning of permits, revision of fares for buses and taxis, and the enforcement of mandatory vehicle ownership transfers as per the Motor Vehicles Act.

Lt Governor said that the Administration is fully committed to safeguarding the interests of Ladakh’s transport community while ensuring compliance with national road safety standards. He assured the delegation that all their concerns would be examined with seriousness and sensitivity.

Regarding the VLTD installation, Kavinder Gupta clarified that VLTD installation is a mandatory regulatory and safety measure under MoRTH guidelines and instructed all transport operators to ensure full compliance. 

He also asked officials to study the proposal for extending the deadline for renewal of older vehicle registrations, keeping in view Ladakh’s unique geographical and economic challenges.

The Lt Governor further stated that issues related to permits, fare revision, and vehicle ownership transfers would be addressed in a time-bound manner after due consultation with all stakeholders. He reaffirmed the Administration’s resolve to create a transparent, efficient and operator-friendly transport ecosystem in the Union Territory. He also advised the taxi unions from Leh and Kargil to reach consensus on interstate routes.

The taxi operators expressed their gratitude to the Lt Governor for his proactive engagement and the pragmatic support extended to the sector.
Additionally, delegations from the Gyal Khatoon Women’s Horse Polo Team met the Lt Governor, requesting assistance for training at the President’s Body Guard unit and the provision of necessary sporting equipment.

Vice-President of the All Ladakh Tour Operators Association also requested the construction of public toilets at designated points on major tourist routes, including Leh-Nubra, Leh-Pangong Lake, and Leh-Tsomoriri Lake, for tourist convenience.

A delegation from ICICI Bank also called on the Lt Governor.

The Lt Governor reiterated the UT Administration’s commitment to developing sports infrastructure, providing training opportunities for local athletes, and ensuring that requisite facilities are available for athletes and tourists alike. He instructed the Municipal Committee Leh to further upgrade public toilet facilities within Leh town and along popular tourist routes, ensuring a positive travel experience for visitors to Ladakh.