WORLDWIDE TAXI FOCUS from India
GOOGLE MAPS DRIVES THREE TO THEIR DEATH IN UTTAR PRADESH
Three men died on a recent Satur- day night when their taxi fell off an incomplete bridge over the Ram- ganga River in Bareilly district, Uttar Pradesh, reportedly while using Google Maps. The victims were en route from Gurugram to attend a wedding in Faridpur when the accident occurred. The group were unaware that the bridge they approached had been rendered incomplete after floods washed away its Faridpur-side approach months earlier. Late at night, the taxi plunged off the bridge, leaving the victims stranded without immediate aid. The wreckage was only discovered the following morning by villagers from Khallpur, who spotted the vehicle and informed authorities. Rescue teams retrieved the bodies using a boat, and the victims were identified through documents found at the scene. Family members expressed outrage over the lack of proper barricades or warning signs to prevent such accidents. “The road should have been blocked, but it wasn’t. Google Maps also showed the bridge as functional,” said Pramod Kumar, brother-in-law of one of the victims. They criticised local authorities, accusing them of negligence. Another relative demanded that officials be held accountable for this negligence and called for a formal investigation and filing of an FIR against the concerned construction department. Faridpur Sub Divisional Magistrate, Gulab Singh, said: “The bridge is under construction by the UP State Bridge Corporation Ltd. The approach road in Budaun was open, which misled the victims. We’ve initiated an investigation, and action will be taken against those responsible.” A police spokesperson stated: “At around 9:30 am, we were informed about a damaged car found in the Ramganga river. Our team discovered a Wagon R, suspected to be a taxi, that had fallen from the
PHTM DECEMBER 2024
incomplete bridge. The bodies of the victims were recovered and sent for post-mortem. “While two individuals have been identified, efforts are ongoing to confirm the identity of the third.” Officials have stated that strict measures will be implemented to prevent such tragedies in the future but the incident has raised serious concerns about infrastructure safety and the reliability of sat nav.
ASSAM CABBIES LAUNCH HUNGER STRIKE OVER LONGSTANDING ISSUES
Cabbies in India’s NE region of Assam initiated a 48-hour hunger strike last month in the region’s capital Guwahati. The protest was sparked by a range of long-standing issues that the drivers claim have been neglected by the state government. Key demands of the protesting drivers include: l Curbing exorbitant commissions: The drivers allege that app-based cab services are flouting the Supreme Court’s 2019 directive capping com- missions at 20%. They claim these services are still charging exorbitant rates of 30-40%.
l Regulating private vehicle usage: The drivers are calling for stricter regulations on using private vehicles for commercial purposes.
l Implementing fixed rates: The drivers demand the introduction of fixed rates per kilometre for taxis.
l Social security benefits: The drivers are seeking health insurance and provident fund benefits.
l Improved working conditions: The drivers are calling for better working conditions, including free parking at the Guwahati Airport and a pension for senior drivers.
l Safety measures: The drivers are demanding the installation of CCTV cameras at stands for the safety of both passengers and drivers. The drivers expressed deep frustration over their plight, highlighting the challenges they face in earning a decent living. They emphasised the urgent need for the state government to address their concerns and implement necessary reforms. As the hunger strike unfolded, the drivers remained hopeful that their protest will compel the government to take action.
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