Delhi government impounds cabs over surge pricing

May 02, 2016 20:26

The Delhi government today impounded as many as 39 taxis by app-based cab aggregators such as Uber for invoking surge pricing, a day after Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal warned of strong action.

Transport Minister Gopal Rai also announced a dedicated helpline for passengers to lodge complaints against those violating the Delhi government's directive against surge pricing. Hundreds of calls were received on the helpline number.

"If any cab is charging extra money in the name of surge pricing please call 01142400400. We will take strong action," Rai tweeted.

An official said four cabs were impounded on the basis of complaints received on the dedicated helpline till afternoon while action against the rest was taken on complaints received via other channels including the department's helpline number 42400400.

"The permits provided to the cab drivers clearly say that they cannot overcharge. The action is being taken based on that," the official said.

However, Ola, one of the prominent app-based taxi-hailing companies, tweeted that there is currently no peak pricing on its platform in Delhi NCR.

Amid the shortage of taxis in the wake of ban on diesel-run cabs in the national capital, Uber brought back controversial surge pricing on Sunday, a day after the odd-even car rationing scheme ended.

The Delhi government had proscribed surge pricing during the odd-even period between April 15 and 30 and later announced that the ban will continue even after the scheme ends.

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