BHOPAL: Private cabs in Bhopal seem to have forgotten to follow the Covid protocols. Major problem is with those taxis running at the local level. On the contrary, private taxi owners said that several times passengers despite their requests do not follow protocols.
Presence of private taxis is large. Such is the number that even RTO Bhopal does not have any idea on their exact numbers. “As far as Ola and Uber are concerned, I have not received any complaint so far. However, the issue is about other private taxis. We launch several sudden inspections to nab such taxi drivers,” said RTO Bhopal Sanjay Tiwari.
About the Covid protocols being followed by the private taxis, Tiwari said, “Several instructions have been issued for the private taxis to follow the Covid protocols. Few follow while others do not. We take actions against such whenever we catch them.” Drivers of private taxis are asked to wear masks, sanitise the vehicle everytime after passengers are dropped.
Private taxi drivers said that several times passengers do not follow the instructions. “I always carry a mask and even sanitisers whenever I take my taxi on the road. On several occasions, passengers refused to follow the instructions. After the second lockdown, the financial condition of taxis is not good. In such a situation, we are left with no option except to allow them to travel,” said a private taxi driver without quoting his name.
Passengers on the other hand said that they need to ask the drivers to wear masks every time. “I had to travel from Bhopal to Raisen. One of my friends told me that he knows a few taxi drivers. Next day a driver reached my home as per the given time. I was surprised that he was neither wearing a mask nor even carrying sanitiser. Later, I had to cancel the drive,” said Deepak Kumar, a private firm employee.
