Crackdown to stop Uber re-run

INDORE: In the wake of Uber cab controversy which erupted over alleged rape of a 25-year-old techie in Delhi, Indore’s Regional Transport Office on Tuesday seized 16 OLA cabs. Most of the vehicles were either running without registration or without the police verification of the hired drivers.
According to RTO MP Singh, the cab company was blatantly violating the norms.
“During the special drive against the private cabs running in city, vehicles of OLA Company were found to have been running without registration, taxi permits, police verification of the drivers and Global Positioning System (GPS). The company did not have a valid permission despite transport minister Bhupendra Singh’s strict instructions for action against the cabs running in contrary to Motor Vehicle Act,” said Singh.
He added, “In Delhi, Uber cab rape case, accused was a habitual offender. Hence, issue of company hiring drivers without checking their antecedents cannot be taken lightly. Any cab operator must first get registration of vehicles and police verification of drivers done before anything else.”
Around 100 OLA cabs are believed to be running in city without the GPS system in many vehicles.
“On questioning, most of the drivers said that the company has promised to install the GPS by next month,” said the RTO adding strict action will be taken in future against the company if it fails to comply with the norms. Women activists in city were up in arms over OLA Company’s unsafe services. Activist and NGO worker Belu George said, “We are still trying to get used to the cab culture. Administration must be cautious to ensure that the women safety rules are implemented properly so that there can be no repeat of Delhi incident.”
Another activist Divya Gupta said, “It seems that another untoward incident was waiting to happen in Indore. How could both the RTO and the company be so negligent towards such a serious issue.” OLA Mumbai office staff failed to give a proper response. They also asked for a mail to which there was no reply till the filing of the report.