Kejriwal-led govt impounds 50 more cabs for overcharging

After a warning issued by the Delhi government against surge pricing, the Delhi government has seized 50 more cabs including those from app-based services like Uber and Ola in the last 12 hours for overcharging during the odd-even scheme's 2^nd phase.

Around 18 Ola and Uber cabs were impounded yesterday after CM Kejriwal assured strict action, including impounding of cabs, if the app-based taxis were found charging more than the prescribed rates.

He reiterated his stand that the government would not tolerate 'overcharging and blackmailing' by the taxi aggregators.

"Overcharging, diesel cars, drivers without license/badges n blackmailing by taxi aggregators won't be allwed," Kejriwal tweeted.

However, he added that the state government was not against taxi aggregators and fully supported them as they provided an important service to the people but asserted that they had to follow the law and could not be exempted.

"Some taxis saying they'll not provide cab if they're not allowed to loot. This is open blackmailing n govt won't let that happen," he further tweeted.

Transport Minister Gopal Rai had earlier told ANI that apart from impounding taxis, they would also seize licences of taxi drivers and cancel their permits.

Meanwhile, amid the crackdown by the state government, Ola has announced that Ola Shuttle will offer 'free rides' to commuters in Delhi-NCR on two Fridays -- April 22 and April 29 -- during the second phase of the odd-even initiative.

--ANI