October 30: The Paro municipal office has issued a notification which prohibits taxis from stopping in the middle of town to pick and drop passengers. This means taxis can’t stop along the main thoroughfare of the town.

Our correspondent Wangchuk reports that taxi drivers are not happy about it. They say it will be inconvenient for passengers and affect their business.

The Paro Municipal office has issued a notification prohibiting taxis from stopping along the roads in the heart of the town. This means taxi drivers can’t park their taxis to pick and drop passengers.

The move according to the municipal authorities is being taken to avoid traffic related accidents. Municipal authorities say the road is already narrow and parking vehicles along the road increases the risk of road accidents.

However the taxi drivers say it is causing inconveniences for both themselves and passengers.

Passengers also complain that they have to carry all their things to the taxi parking located at the back of the town.

Chencho from Gunitsawa came to do some shopping. He said he finished shopping at around eight but has not been able to go since he couldn’t find a taxi.

It is not only the taxi drivers and passengers who are unhappy about the notification. Shopkeepers say it is going to affect their business.

Municipal authorities say to solve the problem they have started works on designating parking spaces along the roads.