The Maharashtra government has taken strict action against cab aggregator companies for overcharging commuters during the recent heavy rains that had disrupted public transport in Mumbai.State Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik on Thursday, August 21, directed the Transport Department and Mumbai Police to take strict action against app-based taxi services that were charging exorbitant fares from hapless commuters.
Charging high fares despite heavy rains
"For the past three-four days, heavy rains have disrupted traffic in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and halted bus and local train services. Taking advantage of this crisis, some app-based cab companies are fleecing commuters by charging three to four times the normal fare. While the fare for a normal ride is around Rs 200, commuters are being forced to pay between Rs 600 and Rs 800," Sarnaik said.
The minister warned that the state will not tolerate such exploitation and directed the transport commissioner to cancel the licences of cabs found guilty. "Strict action must be taken against such companies," he asserted.
Following his directions, the motor transport department and police launched a massive crackdown against 147 app-based cab services in Mumbai and its suburbs. Of these, 36 were found guilty of overcharging passengers.
Sarnaik also discussed the matter with Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti and suggested that the cyber cell be roped in for further action against the erring cab companies.