The syndicate on Saturday slapped ´penalty´ on an SUV heading toward Ghandruk with a group of Japanese tourists on board for travelling without seeking its permission. [break]
Machhindra Rai, a tourist guide, along with tourists, said the SUV with registration number Ga 1 Ya 563 was stopped by transport entrepreneurs affiliated to Nayapul-Birethanti-Ghandruk-Tikhedhunga Jeep Operators Association.
“Some youths approached us to stop our SUV from proceeding ahead stating that no vehicle was allowed to ply on the route, except those affiliated to the association,” said Rai. Local transport entrepreneurs have been frequently disrupting the movement of other tourist vehicles to strengthen their monopoly on the lucrative tourist route.
“They stopped us for one and half hours giving us options of either walking to Ghandruk or taking an SUV belonging to the syndicate. They let our SUV proceed ahead only after we paid a penalty of Rs 1,200,” Rai said.
The syndicate imposed by local entrepreneurs has forced many tourists to take vehicles belonging to the association. The vehicles operated by the syndicate, however, do not meet minimum standard for carrying tourists.
“Such rude behavior of local transport entrepreneurs will not only create problems to tourists but send negative message in the international tourism market,” Rai said.
Durga Dutta Dahal, a driver, also said local transport entrepreneurs were not operating vehicles with facilities like air-conditioners along the route. “Neither can they (entrepreneurs) operate vehicles that meet tourists´ requirements, nor allow us to operate our own vehicles. Their intention is to completely replace tourist vehicles with theirs to monopolize vehicle operation on the route,” said Dahal.
Tourism entrepreneurs have flayed the transport syndicate imposed on one of the major trekking routes in Nepal.
“Anyone should be able to run business independently. But imposing monopoly in any business is against the law as even the Supreme Court has outlawed the syndicate system,” said Kedar Sharma, president of the Nepal Association of Tour and Travels Agents (NATTA). “Such behavior will discourage tourists and eventually affect tourism in the area.”
Deepak Gurung, president of the Nayapul-Birethanti-Ghandruk-Tikhedhunga Jeep Operators Association, said the association took the decision to protect their business from going into the hands of tourism entrepreneurs.
Currently, 33 SUVs affiliated to the association are operating on the route.
Kaski Chief District Officer Yadav Prasad Koirala said action would be taken against those trying to impose monopoly.
“No one is above the law. Any vehicle is free to run in any route without disruption from any group. We will take action against those who create disruption in mobility of vehicles,” said Koirala.
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