Commercial passenger vehicle operators who exploit visiting pilgrims and local commuters with exorbitant fares faced an unexpected crackdown in the holy city of Haridwar. Auto-rickshaw, battery rickshaw, and Vikram drivers frequently demand arbitrary fares from outstation travelers, assuming their unfair practices will go unnoticed. However, an overcharging driver in Haridwar learned a severe lesson after the unassuming commuter he attempted to fleece turned out to be a senior transport enforcement official conducting an undercover inspection.
Surprise Inspection Launched Following Persistent Fare Complaints
Administrative authorities had been receiving frequent complaints regarding excessive fares extorted from visitors arriving in Haridwar. Commuters highlighted that auto-rickshaws, Vikram tempo-vans, and electric battery rickshaws were openly flouting official tariff norms. Taking firm cognizance of these public grievances, District Magistrate Mayur Dixit instructed the transport department to conduct sudden, on-ground inspections under the joint leadership of ARTO Administration Nikhil Sharma and ARTO Enforcement Neha Jha.
ARTO Poses as Ordinary Passenger to Uncover Ground Reality
To verify the authenticity of the extortion complaints, the enforcement officers decided against a visible squad presence and opted to travel like common commuters. ARTO Nikhil Sharma boarded multiple public transport vehicles disguised as an ordinary traveler. At Ranipur More, he approached a Vikram driver to travel to the railway station, a stretch covering a distance of approximately three kilometers where the legally mandated fare is fixed at 50 rupees.
Confrontation Leads to Instant Seizure of Vehicles
Unaware of the passenger's true identity, the driver demanded 300 rupees for the three-kilometer ride. When the officer questioned the exorbitant rate and asked whether 300 rupees was not excessively high for such a short route, the driver bluntly replied that it indeed was. The officer then asked if he insisted on overcharging regardless, and upon witnessing the driver's blatant refusal to adhere to rules, took instant regulatory action. The enforcement officer revealed his designation on the spot and impounded two Vikram vehicles, towing them to the department premises for formal punitive proceedings.
Major Enforcement Drive Yields 105 Challans and 25 Seizures
The transport department widened the surprise inspection across multiple transport hubs in the city, initiating sweeping action against unauthorized practices. Over the course of the drive, enforcement teams issued a total of 105 challans and impounded 25 non-compliant vehicles. Among the seized fleet were two electric rickshaws operating completely without registration and another e-rickshaw intercepted for severe overloading. Officials confirmed that rigorous enforcement will continue to safeguard passengers against arbitrary fare extortion.
