Chizokho Vero
September 7
KOHIMA (MExN): In view of the increase in fuel prices, taxi and mini bus fares are likely to go up in the State capital even as two private transport bodies announced to pursue its demand to increase the fares.
Petrol per litre now cost Rs. 43.19 paise from Wednesday in Kohima against Rs. 40. 17 paise while diesel cost Rs. 30.45 paise against Rs. 28.45 paise.
On being asked whether the price hike in fuel would result the increase in NST bus fares, Transport Minister Imtilemba Sangtam said that he was not in position to make any comment at the moment. He, however, said the proposal for the price hike on NST bus fare has been submitted to the Finance Department a few years back. So far, no response has been received from the latter, it is learnt.
Talking to The Morung Express, the Mini Bus Owners Union President Ravou Rutsa said the Union would be compelled to increase the Mini Bus fare following the increase in the fuel price.
Recently, the Union has asked the government to increase the mini bus fare from Rs. 3 to Rs. 5. However, till date, the government simply remained unresponsive to our demand, said Rutsa.
Rutsa said that the Union would remind the government again to fulfil its demand. He also pointed out that the Union will be compelled to take it own course of step by increasing Mini bus fare to Rs. 5 from next week even if the government fails to consider their demand.
Further, the All Nagaland Taxi Association President Vivor Miachieo said the Association has already asked the Transport Commissioner to increase the taxi fares but so far no positive result has emerged from the government.
He told The Morung Express that the Association had earlier asked the government to increase the taxi fares- Kohima to Dimapur at Rs. 130 and Kohima to Mokokchung at Rs. 220. Miachieo threatened that the Association would resort to its own course of action if the government failed to give a positive response within 2-3 days.
