Kerala Advocates for National Star-Rating Reform to Include Driver Amenities
Kerala Tourism is urging the Union Tourism Ministry to mandate restrooms and dormitories for drivers in hotel star-rating criteria. The move follows protests in the state where drivers have been forced to sleep in vehicles due to a lack of basic facilities.
The Fight for Basic Drivers' Rights
In response to growing unrest within the state's transport sector, Kerala Tourism (KT) plans to lobby the central government to overhaul the national hotel classification checklist. Officials confirmed that the current Union Tourism Ministry standards focus exclusively on guest-centric infrastructure, leaving driver amenities as a neglected footnote. A recent demonstration at a luxury hotel, where drivers demanded hygienic washrooms and resting areas, has brought this disparity into the spotlight.
Regulatory Gaps and Safety Hazards
Despite a state order issued in September 2024 requiring accommodation units to provide clean restrooms for taxi drivers, compliance remains uneven. Jackson Varghese, a former president of the Kerala Online Drivers’ Union, notes that four- and five-star properties often ignore these directives. This negligence forces drivers into dangerous situations. Over the last decade, several drivers have lost their lives after sleeping in their vehicles with air conditioning active, succumbing to carbon monoxide poisoning when fuel ran low. In regions like Alappuzha, house-boat guests enjoy luxury while their drivers are relegated to sleeping under trees or on roadsides.
Proposed Solutions for Industry Standards
State officials are exploring two primary avenues to address the deficiency:
- Mandating the construction of on-site restrooms and dormitories where property space permits.
- Facilitating partnerships between luxury resorts and nearby budget lodges to provide affordable driver accommodation.
While the Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) Society attempted to bridge these gaps years ago, officials admit the efforts fell short. Union Tourism Ministry sources maintain that while their ratings prioritize the guest experience, local municipal bodies hold legislative leverage. These local entities can demand driver infrastructure as a prerequisite for granting the mandatory No-Objection Certificates (NOC) required for any hotel to operate.
The push for enforcement follows a stakeholder meeting convened by the then-Tourism Minister, which recognized that tourist drivers are an essential component of the industry's success and deserve dignified working conditions.
Source: The Hindu — National