This world famous hill station of Himachal Pradesh is gaining notoriety for tourists being fleeced by some private influential transporters, who operate buses on McLeodganj-Delhi route.

Bus operators, with permits only for contract carriage, have adopted this illegal practice of selling tickets openly for McLeodganj to Delhi and vice-versa, which is also a factor behind HRTC losing business from this region as per a a report in TOI by S Gopal Puri.

Now, learning about movement of tourists here due to holidays in Tibetan schools, upcoming teachings of Dalai Lama and New Year ahead, they have doubled the fares. These higher fares would cause "tremendous damage" to tourism industry here, sending a clear message that visitors here "may be fleeced," sources added..

The fares have been hiked from Rs 600 to Rs 1,000 for ordinary buses to Delhi and for Volvo buses, it varies from Rs. 1,200 to Rs 1,500.

With authorities turning a blind eye towards this unlawful practice, Tibetan welfare office has come to the fore to curb the illicit practice by these bus operators and help the tourists.

"Whenever there are teachings by Dalai Lama or any other occasion, they usually hike fares to book higher profits, but it affects innocent tourists coming here and Tibetan refugees too," said Sonam Dorjee, Tibetan welfare officer.

"I have been to RTO office thrice. At last, they told me to submit proofs to substantiate the complaint. I have submitted the complaint in writing to them and have collected copies of the tickets also for submission," he added.

"I was shocked to know from RTO that these buses are not authorized to do so," he added.

There are about four to five private luxury buses which running on daily basis from McLeodganj to Delhi. Being operated by private transporters, it happened many times that tourists remain stranded on way, if something goes wrong with these buses on way to Delhi.

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