Mumbai crime: Imposters cheating fliers at airport taxi kiosks

Touts approach passengers near the kiosks at Mumbai airport

Commuters at the Mumbai airport have complained that cab aggregator pick-up points have been taken over by anti-social elements, who are duping them by overcharging for rides. Drivers of the cab aggregators told mid-day that they were helpless, and had collectively raised the issue with the authorities. "We landed in Mumbai around 1.30 pm and our destination from the airport was short. The cabs we booked via the app declined rides. So we went to the pick-up point kiosks of the cab aggregator firms.

There, some unidentified people claiming to be agents of cab companies offered to book rides for us through the app on their phone, and made us sit in one. After travelling some distance, we were told that we would have to pay double the fare. When we objected, we were told that the fare included the parking fee. Many are looted like this at the pick-up points. Cab aggregators should look into this and stop the outsiders," said Saveeta Iyer.

Philip D'Costa, another traveller, said he was also approached by some people who made him pay more than the usual fare, and the entire cab ride was offline. Drivers working with cab aggregators told mid-day that some anti-social elements have taken over the pick-up points and are bullying them. They said they wrote to the director general of police about the issue this week.

"These elements have taken over the kiosks and the cabs used for the purpose do not have any safety equipment, they are offline and many of the drivers are illegal and unverified. Some do not even possess a valid licence," said the drivers of cab aggregators. "Such a big racket cannot go on without the support of some higher-up person. The problem is leading to harassment of senior citizens and women," states the letter, a copy of which is with mid-day.

Uber India said they were taking up the issue with the airport authorities. "Safety is paramount at Uber and we are always working towards enhancing safety for both riders and drivers on the platform. Few fraudulent incidents related to some unauthorised people, posing as Uber drivers and fleecing customers were brought to our notice recently. We have raised this issue with the airport authorities and are hopeful of a speedy resolution," a spokesperson said.

Top officers from Sahar police station told mid-day that they regularly monitor the situation as complaints come. "Wherever there is a complaint, we patrol and send our teams to look into the issues and try to resolve them. We shall take this up, too," said an officer.