Karnataka Transport Department Impounds 98 Autorickshaws in Bengaluru Crackdown

Strategic Insights -

The Karnataka Transport Department launched a day-long crackdown on autorickshaws in Bengaluru, impounding 98 vehicles and booking 260 drivers for violating transport regulations. The operation, involving 22 special investigation teams from Regional Transport Offices across the city, targeted autorickshaws operating without valid permits and charging fares exceeding those fixed by the government. The initiative comes after a surge in complaints from commuters and follows a directive from Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy to initiate action against app-based autorickshaw aggregators for overcharging.

Key Takeaways:

  • The highest number of violations was recorded in the Bangalore South division, where 48 autorickshaws were booked and 18 vehicles were seized.
  • 36 cases and 13 vehicles were impounded in Bangalore West, while Bangalore Central and East each reported 30 violations.
  • Electronic City and Bangalore North reported 26 and 25 cases, respectively, and areas such as Jnana Bharathi, Yelahanka, K R Puram, Chandapur, and Devanahalli were also covered in the drive.
  • Cases were registered not just for overcharging, but also for lack of fitness certificate, driving licence, and other documentation.
  • The Karnataka High Court in 2022 granted interim protection to aggregator platforms, including Uber, Ola, and Rapido, restraining the state government from taking any coercive action against them.
  • The transport department has clarified that action is being taken only against fare violations and other existing offences, which are now being enforced.

Statistics:

  • 98 autorickshaws were impounded in the day-long crackdown.
  • 260 drivers were booked for violating transport regulations.
  • 48 autorickshaws were booked and 18 vehicles were seized in the Bangalore South division.
  • 36 cases and 13 vehicles were impounded in the Bangalore West division.
  • The government set a fare of Rs 30 for the first 2 kilometres and Rs 15 for every subsequent kilometre in December 2021.
  • App-based autorickshaw services are allowed to charge only 10 per cent above the government-notified fare, plus 5 per cent GST, as per the Karnataka High Court's October 2022 ruling.

Sources:

  • IE Online Media Services Pvt. Ltd. (2025)
  • Contify.com (distributed by)
  • Karnataka High Court (2022) [note: no specific source provided in the original text]