A pre-paid taxi service was started at the Guwahati Airport for all the destinations in and near Guwahati, from a short distance of 5 km to all northeastern cities.
The regular taxi service, which is a first of its kind in the northeastern region, is a joint initiative of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Assam Police.
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The service has been launched at Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International (LGBI) Airport for the air passengers flying through the airport.
The regular taxi service was inaugurated at the airport by R.N. Kalita, West Guwahati MLA and Sanjeev Jindal, regional executive director, AAI (NER) and Ramesh Kumar, LGBI Airport director and Assam Police officials.
Addressing the media MLA Kalita termed the new taxi service in his constituency as a “historic move” by the AAI and Assam Police.
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The pre-paid service for the passengers travelling through Guwahati Airport has been claimed to be the first such service started at any airport in the northeastern region.
The opening of the pre-paid taxi service is likely to help boost tourism, provide jobs to locals and benefit the passengers coming to the Northeast from different parts of the country and abroad.
“Guwahati Airport is a door for tourism in the state and one should get services right at the airport for all types of conveniences and I am happy that AAI and Police have come up with such services,” said Kalita.
The pre-paid taxi service is available from the booth at the airport for a small distance of 5 km up to a foreign location in neighbouring country like Bhutan and other northeastern cities, the AAI said in a press statement
Security concern will be tackled by the state police officials and the management of Airports Authority of India at the airport.
Sanjeev Jindal, regional executive director, AAI, while expressing concern of the local taxi drivers and tour operators, said their interests will be kept in consideration as they are also one of the main stakeholders in operating the cab services for Guwahati Airport.
After opening of this serve, it will offer competitive rate and a healthy atmosphere for all taxi drivers with ample space for extending services to other locations, said Jindal.
“AAI will also provide basic amenities to taxi operations at the parking area like seating shed, toilets, drinking water and assistance booth,” he added.
Jindal said, “Guwahati Airport is a gateway for tourism and all travellers arriving at the airport should be greeted with good gestures and services. We expect that passengers travelling through Guwahati Airport will get better services now.”
LGBI Airport director Ramesh Kumar urged taxi drivers, tour operators and the stakeholders concerned to keep the parking area clean for branding the image of Northeast.
“We have witnessed over 27 pc growth in the passenger movement from this airprot and there are lots of opportunities for further growth here,” Kumar said.
As international flights have started their services from Guwahati Airport, the taxi services will add more cabs as per the requirement and timing of the flights.
Pre-paid taxi services rates have been kept reasonable and will be available up to the airline flight service and their operational timings at the airport, the AAI said in the statement.
The booking counter is available at the arrival area of the airport and the taxi can be booked and hired from the city side of the arrival gate.
Here’s a list of fares for the pre-paid taxi service from Guwahati Airport: