Travel Operators Demand Road Tax Relief and Cess Rollback: What it Means for Delhiites

New Delhi — Have the bustling streets of Connaught Place seemed quieter to you lately? One reason could be that Delhi’s travel operators are under serious pressure, and it’s impacting not just their bottom line but the city’s vibe too.

Delhi’s Travel Operators Raise Concerns

According to recent reports in The Hindu, Delhi’s travel operators are jostling to draw attention to their pressing demands included in the pre-Budget memorandum. Their primary concerns revolve around seeking road tax relief and a rollback of a 3% cess. Their contention is that these stiff levies are putting enormous financial strain on their operations. For the uninitiated, the cess and stiff road taxes can drastically inflate travel costs, leading to dampened business prospects and subsequent layoffs in the sector.

Empty Seats around India Gate: Impact on Local Economy

As a consequence, the reduced traffic of travel operators is casting its shadow beyond Janpath and India Gate. From local trinket sellers at Dilli Haat to the dhabas at Paranthe Wali Gali, everyone is feeling the pinch of reduced footfall. The lesser frequency of tourist vehicles means fewer tourists, affecting local businesses. A shopkeeper near Chandni Chowk said, “Agar yeh chalta raha toh humein band karna padega” (If this continues, we might need to shut shop).

Sifting Through the Past: A Tale of Itinerant City

Delhi, being a city with rich historical and cultural ethos, has always been a major draw for tourists from around the globe. Over the years, the city’s local travel operators have played a pivotal role in boosting tourism and subsequently, the local economy. However, travel operators have been grappling with issues with the ever-increasing cess and taxes. The situation begs us to look at successful tourism models such as that of Singapore or Dubai and figure out how we can better support our operators while facilitating economic growth.

What Delhiites Can Do to Support Local Travel Operators

Choose local operators over international travel companies.
Spread awareness about the issues faced by local operators amongst your circle.
Support local attractions and venues that rely on tourist influx.

📍 Spot Check: Do give a passing glance to the usually lively areas like Connaught Place, Dilli Haat or the historic alleyways of Chandni Chowk. The vibrancy is surely missed.

The Final Word

So, as a true-blue Delhiite, isn’t it our collective responsibility to keep the city’s spirit alive? With travel operators facing tough times and businesses like Paranthe Wali Gali and Dilli Haat seeing fewer crowds, the buzzing vibe that personifies Delhi is at stake. The question remains – what can everyday Delhiites like us do to make a difference?