In major crackdown, Karnataka transport dept files 260 cases, seizes 98 autos in Bengaluru for overcharging

Karnataka's transport department launched an enforcement drive against illegal auto rickshaws, filing 260 cases and seizing 98 vehicles.

Published on: Jul 1, 2025, 13:01:52 IST

By Yamini C S, Bengaluru

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The Karnataka transport department launched a major enforcement drive on Monday targeting auto rickshaws operating without proper permits or demanding inflated fares. The operation resulted in 260 legal cases being filed and 98 vehicles taken off the roads, news agency PTI reported.

Bengaluru auto rickshaw crackdown: The crackdown began early in the morning on June 30 and focused on both illegal operations and fare violations. (Raj K Raj/HT Photo/Representative image)

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This decisive move follows orders from Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy, who recently urged transport officials to clamp down on auto drivers - especially those affiliated with ride-hailing apps - who have been ignoring government fare guidelines. In a directive issued on June 28, the minister described the overcharging as “daylight robbery” and called for the cancellation of permits for offending drivers.

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The crackdown began early in the morning on June 30 and focused on both illegal operations and fare violations, a department spokesperson told the agency. To carry out the inspections, authorities formed 22 task forces, with two teams assigned to each regional transport office across the city.

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The initiative comes amid growing frustration among commuters, who have reported widespread fare gouging. As per government regulations, the minimum fare for autorickshaws in Bengaluru is ₹30 for the first 1.9 kilometres, with ₹15 charged for every additional kilometre.

Bengaluru to see a hike in auto rickshaw fares

However, auto-rickshaw fares in Bengaluru are set to increase for the first time since 2021, with the state government approving a long-pending revision. Under the new rates, commuters will pay ₹36 for the first 1.9 km, up from ₹30, and ₹18 per additional kilometre, instead of the current ₹15. Read the full report here.

(With inputs from PTI)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yamini C S
Yamini CS is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times with nearly six years of experience in digital journalism. She is part of the India News desk, where she works on a wide range of stories cutting across civic issues, city-based developments, politics, governance, public policy, breaking news, trending topics, and international affairs that have an impact on India. Her role involves tracking fast-moving developments, verifying information from official and on-ground sources, and presenting news in a clear, accessible format for a digital-first audience. A significant part of her work includes handling live blogs during major news events, such as elections, court verdicts, political developments, civic disruptions, protests, weather-related alerts, and unfolding national or international incidents. Through live coverage, she focuses on timely updates to help readers follow complex stories as they evolve. Before moving to the broader India News desk, Yamini was associated with the Bengaluru desk at Hindustan Times, where she extensively covered urban governance, infrastructure, traffic and transport issues, weather events, public grievances, and civic administration in the city. This experience strengthened her grounding in city reporting and sharpened her focus on citizen-centric journalism. She began her career as a correspondent with Reuters after completing a postgraduate diploma in journalism from the Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media. Her early training instilled a strong emphasis on accuracy, sourcing, and news ethics, which continue to shape her reporting style. Outside of work, Yamini enjoys reading across genres, listening to music, and spending time with her family, which help her maintain balance in a fast-paced newsroom environment.Read More

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