Advisor to the Governor called a meeting of the seniors of Traffic Department and representatives of various taxi unions and tourist unions to discuss various problems of tourism related traffic system in the State in view of the fast approaching tourist season in Kashmir. Some decisions taken in the meeting are pointed at reducing complicacies involved in free flow of tourist taxis during the peak season. Tourist taxis are stopped at many points during travel from Jammu to Srinagar/Leh in the name of traffic police performing its duty. In order to reduce the complicated process and save the time, it was decided that the Traffic Department would issue traffic stickers to the owners/drivers of tourist taxis which would be a certification of validity of all documents pertaining to the plying of the taxis for tourism purposes. Stickers would be issued for six months in the first instance and after expiry could be extended to full one year. This appears a good decision that will allow tourist taxis to ply without hassles, save time and provide joy rides to the tourists.
In addition, the Department of Tourism has also simplified the procedures for registration or renewal of tourist units through a single window clearance mechanism. Applications for registration / renewal / transfer of registration of tourist units under the Registration of Tourist Trade Act, 1978 shall be submitted to the respective Directors of Tourism as per simplified check lists where self-certification of many documents by the applicant has been prescribed. Stakeholders find much relief in these progressive measures of the Department.