Online Taxi Drivers/Passengers being Harassed near Technopark Trivandrum

TechnoparkToday.com>> It is notified that the Online cabbies including OLA/Uber drivers and passengers being harassed by Local Auto drivers in n around Technopark have increased.

Earlier this issue was reported by TechnoparkToday.com and the same was raised during the DCP meet with Techies. Immediately, a meeting was scheduled by Police with Auto drivers. ‘‘It is an individual’s right to choose his/her mode of transportation’’ – Shri Siva Vikram(Deputy Commissioner of Police) said. An awareness session was provided to the auto drivers to ensure these issues do not happen again.

But unfortunately the issues are rising up again in different parts of the city, especially near Technopark. Last week, a techie working in Technopark Phase 3 campus, was literally threatened and scolded by a group of Auto drivers, when she refused to take the auto to Pattom for INR 400. When she questioned the high fare, they said “You work in Technopark, and cannot pay this amount???”. An OLA/Uber would charge approx INR 160-170 for the same ride.

These issues are also reported in Technopark Phase II, near UST Global and Infosys campus. Few days back, an online Taxi driver was threatened with an Iron rod by the Auto drivers, and warned him not to pick up passengers within 600m of the auto stand. ‘These auto stands are not Authorised ones, and come up with different rules each day’ – says an online taxi driver.

Techies find it difficult as they need to walk more than half kilometre to board a cab. The situations are even worse after 7 in the evening. Moreover, many techies are forced to cancel the rides after booking, due to these harassment’s by local auto/taxi drivers.

The Police officials state that there are very few complaints logged against these issues and currently they are unable to take strict actions. In case of any such issues, Techies need to immediately share the registration number of the Auto or report the incident to Kazhakootam/Thumba Police at the below phone numbers

Kazhakootam Police Station : 0471 2418231
Thumba Police Station : 0471 2563754