Gurugram: Commuters beware if the lack of effective public transportation has caused to you take the cab when you are at risk. The official data by Gurugram police reveals that in the last two months only there have been 27 robberies that have taken place. In the latest case, a man from Delhi who had taken a lift was threatened by the drivers that his kidney will be taken out if he does not take out money from the ATM. Eventually, the robbers were able to steal Rs 50,000 from the debit cards of the ATM. Worryingly, not even women travellers are spared. A woman traveller on the pretext of being physically harmed was a robber of her earrings and other valuables in one of the crimes.
Even as there is a strict law against the movement of the illegal vehicle in the city lack of effective public transportation system has resulted in most of the commuters being dependent on these modes of transportation. Further many of these modes of public transportation provide a much reasonable rate to commute as compared to other means of transportation.
A large number of these vehicles can be seen moving in areas along National Highway-8, Manesar, Gurugram- Faridabad road, Golf course road and MG road and Sohna road. While the autos are still the most popular form of public transport for movement of commuters within the city, the cabs are preferred for commuting to Faridabad, Noida and Delhi.
Last year more than twenty thousand autos went- off the city roads after a massive crackdown on the Gurugram Police on the autos operating without legal permits. Later after negotiations, the services resumed. The Gurugram Police also claims that strict action is also being taken on the illegal cabs. If caught these vehicles need to pay a fine Rs 2,000 as per law, however, there are reports of most of the drivers also getting away by paying a bribe of Rs 100-300 to the Police official.
Most of the cabs provide transportation services in city MNC's, BPO's and even individual owners. The need to earn a quick buck from the commuters has resulted in most of the drivers allowing the vehicles to also provide cab services to commuters. On their part, most of the drivers claim that they are being harassed by the Police and public officials. Lack of providing correct information, usage of black tinted glasses and usage of wrong number plates are some of the major complaints that mainly registered against these vehicles.