Bhatkal: A private car allegedly being used to ferry passengers to Mangaluru airport was stopped by taxi drivers on the National Highway near Sarpankatta in Bhatkal, following which the vehicle was handed over to the Regional Transport Office (RTO) and taken into police custody.
The incident has prompted the Bhatkal Taxi Drivers and Owners Association to demand strict action against private vehicles allegedly being used as taxis without the required permits.
A delegation of the association submitted a memorandum to the Honnavar RTO officer, who was present in Bhatkal during the incident. The taxi drivers told the RTO that the same vehicle had been caught earlier and was now found carrying passengers again, urging the authorities to take strict action against it. They said private vehicles are not permitted to operate as taxis for carrying passengers on a commercial basis and that such services were causing financial losses to drivers and owners operating taxis with valid permits.
According to the association, two passengers from Bhatkal were travelling in the private car to Mangaluru airport when taxi drivers stopped the vehicle near Sarpankatta. The matter was subsequently brought to the attention of the authorities, and the car was taken to the Bhatkal police station. The passengers had to arrange another taxi to reach the airport.
The association said it had earlier approached the Uttara Kannada Deputy Commissioner (DC) over the issue, following which the transport department had been directed to take action against private vehicles with white number plates being used as taxis. Action had also been taken against some vehicles in Bhatkal, but such activity had allegedly resumed.
RTO officer Ravindra assured the delegation that strict legal action would be taken against those found violating transport regulations and that penalties would be imposed as per the rules.
Association president Ganesh Devadiga, vice-president Mohammed Mushtaq, general secretary Jagadish Naik, Faisal and other members were present.