Leh, 03 Oct: With a view to deciding upon a permit system for the Contract Carriage of Ladakh, the State Transport Authority of Ladakh held a meeting today. The meeting was held in the light of the ongoing dispute between the transport unions of the Kargil and Leh districts.

The Regional Transport Officer UT Ladakh, Regional Transport Authorities of Ladakh, and Commissioner/Secretary Transport Ladakh had held a series of meetings with the Taxi/ Tempo Unions and other transport associations of both the districts, however, the associations could not reach any mutually agreeable solution on the issue. 

The State Transport Authority of Ladakh today decided on the areas/route(s) to be allowed for the Contract Carriage Permits for vehicles registered in both the districts of Ladakh.

* Click to Follow Voice of Ladakh on WhatsApp *

Commissioner/Secretary Transport Ladakh Saugat Biswas who is also the Chairperson, State Transport Authority, Ladakh, while briefing the media, clarified that under the Motor Vehicle Act, the Transport Authority decides the routes or areas for which Contract Carriage Permits are issued to an applicant.

He informed that due care has been taken to maximise the benefits for every such applicant for a Contract Carriage Permit be it from Leh or Kargil district. The vehicles will be issued permits for plying in the territory of the district in which they are registered as well as the National Highways of Ladakh. In addition they will also ply to the tourist spots in the vicinity of NH-1D.

For plying in the inner routes of Ladakh, all contract carriage permit holders will be eligible for Temporary Permit which may be issued by the concerned ARTOs on the basis of a demand for vehicles. Biswas further informed that the MoU for reciprocal movement of vehicles between J&K and Ladakh will continue.

Transport Department will regularly review the implementation of the permit system and if required modifications will be made to further improve upon the system after a defined period.