Government Assures Swift Resolution for Kashmir Tourist Drivers; Uniform Taxi Color-Coding Under Review

JAMMU, December 29, 2025: In a significant move to streamline the tourism sector, Minister for Transport and Youth Services and Sports, Satish Sharma, today assured the Kashmir Tourist Drivers Coordination Committee that their long-standing grievances would be resolved within a fortnight.

During a high-level meeting attended by MLA M.Y. Tarigami, Transport Secretary Avny Lavasa, and representatives from CITU, the Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to creating a professional and secure environment for taxi operators. The delegation presented a comprehensive memorandum highlighting the vital role the transport sector plays in J&K’s economy and requested a supportive policy framework to safeguard their livelihoods.

A major highlight of the discussion was the committee’s proposal to introduce a uniform color-coding system for tourist taxis, similar to established models in Delhi and Maharashtra. The committee argued that a standardized scheme would allow tourists to easily identify authorized vehicles, thereby curbing the operation of fake taxis and enhancing passenger safety.

Satish Sharma directed senior officials of the Transport Department to initiate immediate consultations on these policy-level demands. Abdul Rashid Pandit, Secretary of CITU J&K, along with association leaders Mohd Younis and Mudassar Ahmad, expressed satisfaction with the Minister’s proactive approach, noting that these reforms would bring much-needed transparency and regulation to Kashmir’s tourism landscape.