The friction between the Karnataka government and cab aggregators in Bengaluru city is intensifying again with the former ordering aggregators, operating in continued violation of its rules, to stop operations.
The transport department on Saturday issued a circular stating that cab-aggregators that are operating unlicensed cabs in the city will have stop their operations with immediate effect, The Times of India reported.
According to the TOI report, "The circular also stated that many aggregator companies have not obtained the licenses from the transport authorities and are continuing to operate un-licensed cabs. This as per the department is a violation under section 193 of the motor vehicles act and if operations are not stopped by the companies, strict action will be taken by the department."
Over the last few weeks, hundreds of cabs belonging to cab-aggregators like Ola and Uber have been seized in the city after the department found them to be violating the Karnataka On Demand Transportation Technology Aggregator Rules, 2016 implemented nearly two months ago, the report adds.
On Tuesday, 60 Ola and Uber airport taxis were seized by the department after the cab-aggregators failed to comply with the new rules and obtain license. On Thursday, the transport department conducted a drive in HSR layout and its surrounding areas to check for cabs violating permit conditions. While over 1,500 cabs were checked, more than 200 were booked and seized by the department for flouting rules, the Deccan Herald reported.
In April too, 300 Uber and Ola cabs were seized for violating various permit conditions.