Nine web-based taxis impounded, 23 challaned

The unauthorised taxis were impounded from the Chandigarh Railway Station, and sectors 7 and 8.

While the nine taxis, four of OlaCabs and remaining of TaxiForSure, were impounded for not carrying any relevant documents which authenticated their licencing, the 23 were challaned for plying under the All India Tourist permit. The latter, according to the Motor Vehicle Act, permits cabs to ply for inter-state use only.

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Rajiv Tewari, Additional Secretary, STA, said the cabs were operating despite a ban by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the UT Administration. He added that STA officials on Saturday will be intercepting taxis plying without registration during a day-long drive.

On Wednesday, the UT Administration had given taxi operators two days for compliance, but the transport authorities decided to carry out a ‘surprise’ inspection.

In December last year, the MHA had directed state governments and union territories to ban all web-based radio taxis following the alleged rape of a woman passenger by a cab driver in New Delhi.

In a meeting between the transport department officials and representatives of web-based taxis on Wednesday, the Radio Taxi Service scheme was amended, wherein it was made mandatory for cab services to have a compilation of contract carriage permit conditions; fare regulation; installation of aggregator, fare meters, GPRS and cameras; driver’s police verification to be displayed on a conspicuous place in the vehicle; and registration with STA, Chandigarh.

Speaking to Newsline, representatives of TaxiForSure, Meru Cabs and a Pune-based cab-service Wing Travels said they would abide by the conditions laid down by the UT Administration and had already applied for permits under the amended Radio Taxi Scheme Act, adding that they would resume services after getting the necessary clearances.