Karnataka Transport Department collects over ₹82 lakh fine from errant auto-rickshaw drivers in four months

The Karnataka Transport Department has collected over ₹82.25 lakh in fines from auto-rickshaw drivers during a special enforcement drive against overcharging and rule violations.

The crackdown, carried out between April and July 2025, came after commuters lodged a spate of complaints about drivers fleecing passengers, refusing rides, and causing harassment.

According to official data, Transport Department officials checked 16,383 auto-rickshaws during the four-month period in Karnataka. Of these, 3,349 cases were booked against drivers who were either collecting illegal fares, refusing to ply to certain destinations, or operating without valid permits. The fines imposed totalled ₹82,25,950.

The issue of over-charging has allegedly worsened since the State government banned bike taxis four months ago, leading to a surge in demand for auto-rickshaws. Commuters reported that many drivers exploited the situation by quoting inflated fares or demanding excess payments beyond the meter. Acting on these complaints, Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy in June directed the Transport Commissioner to cancel permits of repeat offenders and to ensure stricter monitoring, including of drivers attached to aggregator platforms.

Ongoing drive

A senior Transport Department official told The Hindu that the drive is ongoing. “We are focused on autos that overcharge, refuse to ply, operate without valid permits, or violate traffic and transport regulations. Repeat offenders will face serious consequences, including suspension of licences,” the official said.

The department has urged the public to actively report incidents of overcharging or refusal. “Dedicated police helplines are available for passengers to file complaints, and authorities have assured swift action against violators,” official added.

Need strict enforcement

However, regular commuters argue that strict enforcement may not be as simple as it sounds, given that the problem has persisted for years. “When was the last time anyone actually managed to hail an auto on the road and pay by the meter? The sanctity of the meter was lost a long time ago. We have all become too accustomed to shelling out far more than what the journey should cost, whether it is with a regular auto or even through app-based services,” said Prabha Kumari, a resident of J.P. Nagar who relies on autos for her daily commute to work

She questioned the practicality of the crackdown, adding, “How many complaints can the authorities realistically handle in a city this large? Unless there is continuous monitoring, the situation on the ground will remain the same.”

Bengaluru’s autorickshaw fares were revised from August 1, 2025, with a 20% hike that raised the base fare to ₹36 for the first two kilometres and ₹18 for every subsequent kilometre, a move the government said was necessary to account for inflation.