Cops crack down on taxi touts & unauthorized app bikes at airport
Times of India | 29 January 2025
Kolkata: Airport police prosecuted 67 touts in the first three weeks of this year for harassing flyers on their arrival in Kolkata. The prosecution was a part of a sustained drive by the cops following complaints from flyers about unwanted interference from taxi touts during the high-traffic winter festive season.
Data provided by Bidhannagar police further showed that last year the force had cracked down on 280 taxi touts on charges of extortion, and another 438 were prosecuted for causing obstruction to passengers.
TOI wrote in Nov last year about the return of taxi touts at the Kolkata airport during the puja festivities and the start of the winter rush. During multiple inspections by TOI, groups of touts and car drivers were observed stationed near gate numbers 1A/B, 2A/B, and 4A/B of the airport. They persistently solicited passengers, continuing to pursue them despite clear refusals. These people were seen gathering in clusters outside the specified gates.
Since the report was published, cops said, more than 50 touts were arrested on charges of extortion, and another 270-plus persons were prosecuted for passenger obstruction so far.
Following the crackdown, TOI found their numbers diminishing sharply, and passengers experienced an uninterrupted departure from the integrated terminal whilst booking rides through Yatri Sathi and other app-based taxi services at designated pick-up points. Although a few touts were noticed near the taxi kiosks attempting to approach passengers, most travellers expressed relief as the exit gates remained largely unobstructed.
"We have strengthened our drives and campaign to combat touting activities. Regular arrests shall persist until the premises are completely free from touts and their illegal operations," said a senior officer of Bidhannagar city police.
Cops, however, said despite the stringent drives and frequent arrests and prosecutions, the touts get quick bail upon production before district courts and get back to their touting activity. "That is the reason we are continuing a sustained drive that includes posting uniformed men at the points the touts approach passengers and conducting timely patrols by car and foot throughout the terminal," said the officer.
Along with touts, cops have also started booking app bikes that were found picking passengers from outside the airport's arrival zone.
"App-based bike services can drop passengers at the airport premises but are restricted from entering to collect new customers. This limitation exists because there isn't an established mechanism to collect entry fees from these riders. Additionally, certain app-based riders were found conducting improper practices. They station their motorcycles and actively solicit passengers, particularly those with minimal baggage, proposing fixed-rate journeys. These actions violate regulations, and appropriate legal steps are being implemented to tackle this issue," said the officer.