Cops intensify drive against taxi touts, bike taxis at Kol airport
Times of India | 29 April 2025
123456 Kolkata: In a major crackdown against illegal taxi touts and unauthorised bike taxi operators, Bidhannagar City Police intensified their drive outside Kolkata airport. This action followed a directive from airport authorities banning the movement of app-based two-wheeler taxis within airport premises to ensure smoother operations during the busy summer travel season.
The crackdown came in response to numerous complaints from passengers and airport officials about harassment and obstruction caused by taxi touts and bike operators. Offenders were booked under charges of extortion, criminal conspiracy, and for obstructing the free movement of passengers.
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According to data from Bidhannagar police, between Jan 1 and April 28, 30 taxi touts were arrested on extortion charges while another 1,769 were prosecuted for passenger obstruction. In the last week, 19 taxi touts were arrested, especially from near the airport bus stand area, and three separate cases were registered against them.
Following the sustained drive over the last week, a TOI inspection found that passengers are now able to exit the integrated terminal more freely, using designated pick-up points for app-based taxi services like Yatri Sathi with minimal interference. Although isolated incidents of touts approaching passengers near taxi kiosks still occur, the overall environment has improved considerably.
"We have strengthened our drives and campaign to combat touting activities. Regular arrests will continue until the airport premises are completely free from touts and their illegal operations," said a senior Bidhannagar City Police officer.
However, the problem persists partly because touts, even after being arrested, often secure quick bail from district courts and resume their activities. To counter this, police have deployed uniformed personnel at strategic points where touts commonly approach passengers, alongside increased car and foot patrols across the terminal areas.
In addition to action against taxi touts, police have also started prosecuting bike taxi operators found picking up passengers from outside the airport's arrival zone, violating the new regulations.
"The airport authorities have now installed signboards clearly mentioning that app-based two-wheelers are not allowed in the airport area as there is no mechanism currently in place for entry fee collection from bike taxis. Some riders have been soliciting passengers with minimal luggage for fixed-rate trips, which violates operational regulations. We are taking appropriate legal action against such practices," said the officer.
Airport authorities have expressed satisfaction with the ongoing efforts, emphasising that maintaining a smooth and safe transit experience for passengers remains a top priority, particularly during the high-demand summer season.