Northeast Desk, 13th June: The Sikkim state government has introduced stringent measures regarding luxury vehicle permits (Z-Series), mandating that their lifespan shall not exceed 12 years and will be non-renewable after this period. Effective from July 1, 2024, an AI-based e-challan system will monitor compliance with these regulations.
Under the new rules, defaulters will face an automatic penalty of Rs 2000/- through the AI monitoring system, with a 24-hour grace period to deposit the penalty to avoid additional fines. Luxury taxi owners with vehicles exceeding 12 years are urged to reclassify their vehicles to the private category series promptly to evade penalties and legal complications.
Simultaneously, the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department convened a significant meeting on May 24 to revise the fare chart, including permit charges for key routes like Gangtok to Nathula, Tsomgo Point, and Baba Mandir Point. Chaired by the Chief Secretary and attended by senior officials including the DGP, ACS Home, and commissioners from Tourism, Transport, and Civil Aviation, the meeting ensured these changes were approved by the competent authority.
As per the revised fare structure:
- Taxi fares for luxury vehicles are set at Rs 7000.
- Taxi fares for normal vehicles are adjusted to Rs 6500.
To address any concerns regarding fare overcharging, tourists are encouraged to contact the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department at 9434182178, Police Check Post at 7908081127, or the Transport Department at 9434126851.
These measures underscore Sikkim’s commitment to regulating vehicle permits and ensuring fair pricing in the tourism sector, aiming to enhance operational transparency and tourist satisfaction across the state.
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