The Karnataka Transport Department Monday impounded 98 autorickshaws and booked 260 drivers in Bengaluru in a day-long crackdown against violating transport regulations. The operation, which began at 8 am, involved 22 special investigation teams from the Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) across the city.
The teams took action against violations, including charging fares exceeding those fixed by the government and operating without valid permits. The initiative was launched following a surge in complaints from commuters and as part of enforcing uniform fare structures across the city.
The crackdown comes days after Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy directed Transport Commissioner Yogesh A M to initiate action against app-based autorickshaw aggregators for overcharging. The minister had directed transport officers to draft and develop an effective action plan, which may include permit cancellation and criminal cases against offending autorickshaw drivers.
The highest number of violations was recorded in the Bangalore South division, where 48 autorickshaws were booked and 18 vehicles were seized. Bangalore West followed with 36 cases and 13 vehicles impounded, while Bangalore Central and East each reported 30 violations. Electronic City and Bangalore North reported 26 and 25 cases, respectively. Areas such as Jnana Bharathi, Yelahanka, K R Puram, Chandapur, and Devanahalli were also covered in the drive.
A transport department officer said, “Cases were registered not just for overcharging, but also for lack of fitness certificate, driving licence, and other documentation. A detailed report has been sought from the respective RTOs, based on which we will take suitable action against aggregator platforms.”
Meanwhile, the Karnataka High Court in 2022 granted interim protection to aggregator platforms, including Uber, Ola, and Rapido, restraining the state government from taking any coercive action against them. The relief comes in connection with a case challenging the legality of operating autorickshaws under licences originally issued for cab services. The court’s order allows the platforms to continue operations for the time being, while the matter remains under judicial consideration.
However, the transport department has clarified that action is being taken only against fare violations and other existing offences, which are now being enforced.
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The crackdown also comes after app-based autorickshaw aggregators hiked the fares in the wake of the ban on bike taxis on June 16. According to the autorickshaw fare revision in December 2021, the government set a fare of Rs 30 for the first 2 kilometres and Rs 15 for every subsequent kilometre. In 2022, the Karnataka High Court capped aggregator commissions at 10 per cent to ensure that fares remain affordable and transparent. As per the court’s October 2022 ruling, app-based autorickshaw aggregators are allowed to charge only 10 per cent above the government-notified fare, plus 5 per cent Goods and Services Tax (GST).
App-based autorickshaw services such as Ola, Uber, and Rapido have faced criticism for non-compliance, often charging fares that exceed Rs 70 for short rides (e.g., 1.5 km) due to additional charges like surge pricing, congestion fees, pickup fees or optional tips.
