The less number of tourists visiting the State for Char Dham Yatra is hitting the business of private taxi and cab operators the most. These taxi owners are dependent solely on tourists to make a living.
The disaster which struck the Char Dham Yatris, last year is casting is ghostly shadow on this year’s Char Dham yatra as very few yatris are arriving this year in the State. Despite tall claims of the State Government about the condition of roads and the various safety measures it took, the conditions on ground have not improved much due to which the tourists are hesitant to visit the State. The private taxi operators are sitting idle in the season which used to be very hectic for them.
One of the worried taxi drivers at Rishikesh taxi stand said that he is yet to receive a booking this year despite the fact that it’s been ten days since the commencement of Yatra and he and fellow taxi drivers are worried about their future.
He said that the Government should do more efforts to bring in yatris for the Char Dham Yatra circuit. Anirudh Garg of Dinisha Tour and Travels based at Dehradun told The Pioneer that inquires this year are very less as compared to previous years and business is down this time.
The Uttarakhand Transport Commission (UTC) is also affected by the loss of tourist this year. The Mussoorie which used to be the favored destination of the holiday goers is also drawing fewer visitors this year due to which the buses of UTC are almost plying empty on the Mussoorie route.