Agartala, Oct 10: Tripura Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury has distributed uniforms among prepaid taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers at Maharaja Bir Bikram (MBB) Airport, urging them to maintain cleanliness, discipline and courteous behaviour to improve the state's image as a tourist destination.
The initiative, undertaken by the state Transport Department ahead of the Sharadotsav festivities, aims to promote organised and reliable transport services while ensuring safe and comfortable journeys for tourists and other passengers visiting Tripura.
Addressing the drivers, Chowdhury said uniforms were more than work attire, as they symbolised professional discipline, responsibility and personal cleanliness.
He emphasised that taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers play a crucial role in shaping visitors' first impressions of the state, as they are often among the first people tourists encounter after arriving at the airport.
The minister urged drivers to maintain polite, cooperative and respectful behaviour towards passengers, noting that their conduct and quality of service could significantly influence visitors' overall experience.
Invoking the traditional Indian philosophy of 'Atithi Devo Bhava', which regards guests as equivalent to God, Chowdhury called upon transport workers to extend warm hospitality to tourists arriving from different parts of the country and abroad.
He said honesty, punctuality, discipline and cleanliness were essential to ensuring passenger satisfaction and projecting Tripura as a welcoming destination.
The minister also stressed the need for orderly and dependable transport arrangements to support tourism and provide convenient travel options for visitors exploring the state.
With the Sharadotsav festivities approaching, the initiative seeks to encourage transport workers to maintain professional standards and improve services during the festive season, when passenger movement could increase.
Chowdhury called upon taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers to contribute towards making Tripura a safer, cleaner and more attractive destination through responsible conduct and courteous interactions with passengers.
He expressed confidence that improved transport services, combined with the state's traditional hospitality, would help visitors take back pleasant memories of Tripura and encourage them to return.
The initiative forms part of the Transport Department's efforts to promote a more organised and passenger-friendly transport system at MBB Airport, a key entry point for tourists and other visitors to the state.
It also highlights the role of transport service providers in supporting tourism by ensuring that visitors receive a welcoming and comfortable experience from the moment they arrive in Tripura.
