Now Reading: MVD fines illegal airport taxis Rs 1.47 lakh in Kochi
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MVD fines illegal airport taxis Rs 1.47 lakh in Kochi
The Motor Vehicles department (MVD) in Kerala has launched a crackdown on illegal taxis operating to and from the Cochin International Airport, following numerous complaints. Transport Commissioner Nagaraju Chakilam ordered stern action, leading to the deployment of four enforcement squads in Angamaly, Aluva, Perumbavoor, and Kalady.
The squads registered 68 cases for violations including improper display of registration numbers, illegal alterations, and non-payment of tax and insurance. A total of Rs 1.47 lakh was collected as compounding fees. Additionally, MVD enforcement personnel levied Rs 2.67 lakh from motorists for no-parking violations in July-August.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The crackdown targets unregulated taxi services that undercut licensed operators near a major international airport. With Kochi airport handling over 10 million passengers annually, illegal taxis not only evade taxes but also bypass safety and insurance requirements, putting passengers at risk. The compounding fee of Rs 1.47 lakh from 68 cases averages roughly Rs 2,160 per vehicle, suggesting many operators may find it cheaper to pay fines than obtain proper permits. The MVD's simultaneous no-parking enforcement indicates a broader effort to discipline traffic behaviour around the airport zone. The next step would be sustained enforcement to deter repeat offenders.
Source: thehindu.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Methodology and corrections.
