Traffic cops take crackdown against Uber to social media

As app-based cab operators continue to flout rules in the Capital and operate despite a two-month-old blanket ban on their operations, the Delhi Traffic police took to social media in an attempt to flex its muscles. Muktesh Chander, special commissioner of police (traffic), took on Uber on Facebook, asking it to stop operations in Delhi.

As app-based cab operators continue to flout rules in the Capital and operate despite a two-month-old blanket ban on their operations, the Delhi Traffic police took to social media in an attempt to flex its muscles. Muktesh Chander, special commissioner of police (traffic), took on Uber on Facebook, asking it to stop operations in Delhi.

Uber-cab-drivers-protest-at-Jantar-Mantar-against-cancelling-of-uber-services-in-New-Delhi--Photo-by-Saumya-Khandelwal-Hindustan-Times

“If the Delhi transport department has banned Uber from operating in Delhi and it still has not got necessary licence to operate in Delhi, then why is Uber still operating in Delhi? The driverpartners are facing prosecution by Delhi traffic police. Why this cat and mouse game?” read the post by Chander on Uber’s page on Wednesday.

Uber replied. “Lakhs of hardworking livelihoods at stake b/c (because) of this unilateral enforcement. We appeal to your office to resolve amicably,” the reply read.

Four days after a woman was molested on an Uber cab, traffic police has gone on an overdrive impounding 120 vehicles associated with app-based aggregators and fining 158 drivers. The crackdown continued on Thursday. Traffic police units have been instructed to download the mobile applications of such services, books cabs and fine the drivers when they arrive.

On Thursday, nearly 1,500 cab drivers associated with app-based aggregators gathered outside the Delhi secretariat to meet transport minister Gopal Rai. “We have liabilities and the war between the government and the companies is ruining our lives. We expected the transport minister to understand our problems but he sent us away,” said Mallik, an Uber driver. “We will talk with the cab company tomorrow. If there is no solution, we will go for a road jam,” he added.

Uber said it would file a fresh licence application soon.