By IANS
Shimla : Taxis stayed off the roads in Himachal Pradesh for the second day Friday as operators continued their protest against an order making it mandatory to install meters in Shimla and Dharamsala.
The state government has ordered that taxis without meters would be penalised. It has also threatened to away take away licences if a vehicle is penalised thrice.
Taxi operators say the new policy is unviable as consumption of fuel varies in the mountain terrain and installing of meters would only result in losses.
But the government is determined to go ahead.
"Installing of taxi meters has been made mandatory in Shimla and Dharamsala towns due to a high court order and will be implemented at all costs," said state Transport Minister G.S. Bali.
Though the new law is being implemented in Shimla and Dharamsala, it could soon be introduced in Manali too.
Tourists were stranded across the hill state due to the strike. Many had to travel in crowded buses, while others walked long distances in Shimla and other towns.
"Our holiday has been ruined. My family, which includes young children, are facing a lot of hardship," complained Shankar Sharma, a tourist from Delhi.