Shimla, Jan. 9 -- Deputy chief minister Mukesh Agnihotri, who also holds the portfolio of transport minister, participated in the National level meeting of transport ministers and 43rd meeting of the transport development council held in New Delhi on Thursday. The meeting was chaired by Union minister for road transport and highways, Nitin Gadkari.

During the meeting, Agnihotri raised several important issues concerning the transport sector in Himachal Pradesh. He urged the Union government to increase the validity of taxi permits to at least 15 years or up to the period the vehicle remains roadworthy, instead of the existing 12-year limit as prescribed by the central government.

Taking into account the state's difficult topographical a...