More than 200 cabs booked for violations

The Transport department on Friday launched a crackdown on taxis in the City and booked more than 200 cabs for flouting vehicle norms.

Some vehicles were found to be plying without digital meter and a few had no board identifying themselves as “City Taxi.”

In the evening, a team of officials from the Transport department and RTO officials visited the office of Ola Cabs and booked 60 vehicles for various violations.

Additional Commissioner of Transport Department, Narendra Holkar, told Deccan Herald that the were not targetting or singling out any operator, but were attempting to curb violations by service providers.

While taxi operators have been demanding orders on the change of norms, the officials are claiming that there was no need for it. Transport Commissioner, Ramegowda said that there was no need for orders since it had already been clarified to the taxi operators and service providers that all those who have registered and have permits were legal and rest were illegal.

“Other than the eight taxi operators, all are illegal.  We have already started a crackdown on taxis of illegal operators and will continue the action”.

 An official of the department said that they would ask the taxi drivers associated with the unregistered operators to not display the company’s logos or their stickers. He said that it was the success in enforcing the ban was anybody’s guess as even on Friday the apps of Taxiforsure and Uber were working.

Aadhaar cards
Meanwhile, ahead of the verification drive announced by the police commissioner, many  taxi operators have taken up the task on their own. They have been asking the drivers to submit their Aadhar cards and other documents.

“The operator has asked me to produce my Aadhaar card and domicile certificate. At the time of associating with the service provider, I had given my driving licence as well as my badge details issued by the department”, he added.