Complaining Against Auto or Taxi Drivers

If you feel you have been cheated by auto rickshaw or taxi drivers in India and wish to lodge a complaint against them, then here is how to do it.

As far as possible try to hire a prepaid taxi or autorickshaw or ask the driver to charge by the meter. If the driver overcharges you, misbehaves or refuses to take you to your destination, note down the license plate number of the vehicle and complain to the local police by dialling 100.

Here are other means to lodge a complaint against autos and taxis in different cities of India –

New Delhi - The traffic police has an SMS based complaint system. To complain against refusal, write ‘REF’ followed by the registration number of the vehicle, the location and time of the incident and SMS to 6767 from your phone. Similarly, one may use the word ‘OVC’ for over-charging, ‘MIB’ for misbehaviour and ‘HAR’ for harassment. There is also a round the clock helpline at 23378888. One may also complain online by filling in the online complaint card.

Mumbai – Other than the local traffic police, Mumbai also has special Tourism Police to guide, protect and provide safety to tourists. They patrol the streets in yellow jeeps and may be reached by dialling 22621855. Alternatively, you can register your complaint against autorickshaw and taxi drivers by filling the online auto and taxi complaint form. You can also fax your complaint to 02224927237, 24924734 and 24925462. The complaint should clearly mention the taxi number,
the date, time, place and the nature of the offense.

An independent inquiry will be carried out. If they find out that it is a first time offence then the driver is levied a minimum fine of Rs. 100 according to the law and the offender is warned. A repeat offender is made to pay higher fines and his drivers license can be suspended.

Kolkata – One may report a crime online by filling in a form with details of the offence and your contact information.

Chennai – Tourists may send their complaints as a text message (SMS) to 98407 00100. One may also report an incident by filling in the online form.

Rajasthan – Other than the number 100, one may also dial 1090 for the Crime Police Helpline. This facility is available in seven cities – Ajmer, Bharatpur, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Kota and Udaipur.

Kerala – Here is a list of helpline numbers, police control room numbers and email addresses of police officers that one may contact.

Pune - If you find an autorickshaw driver charging excessively, just take a post card, write a complaint against him with license number of the vehicle and post it to the Regional Transport Office(RTO). Within 30 days, the auto rickshaw driver will be tracked and penalized.He will either have to pay a fine of Rs 300 or face suspension of licence for 10 days. The RTO may also cancel the licenses of auto rickshaw drivers, if deemed necessary”

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Airport Safety and Security Tips

Here are some helpful airport safety and security that you should keep in mind while traveling in India -

• Do NOT pack or bring prohibited items to the airport. Read the list of Permitted and Prohibited Items.
• Refrain from carrying unverified gifts or presents as a wrapped package. If the package sends out an alarm, the screener will need to unwrap it to investigate the source of the alarm.
• Shoes, clothing items and other accessories that contain metal will sound an alarm through the metal detector. As a result the screener will require you to undergo further checks. This may include pat down frisking.
• Carry-on baggage is limited to one carry-on bag plus one personal item. Personal items include laptops, purses, small backpacks, briefcases, or camera cases.
• Place identification tags on all your baggage. Don't forget to label your laptop computer. These are one of the most forgotten items at screening checkpoints. 
• Another important tip in our list of airport safety and security tips is to keep your laptop bag safely in your sight as it may get snatched in the airport by thugs. These robbers enter the airport specifically for the purpose of stealing laptops and other carry on baggage.
• Refrain from packing valuable items in your checked baggage. Once you hand your baggage to your air carrier, security staff of the air carrier will handle and process the baggage in the prescribed manner. Please keep in mind that most air carriers have limited liability for lost, damaged, or stolen items.
• Declare firearms and ammunition to your airline and place it in your checked/ registered baggage.
• Carry all metal items in your carry-on bag. This includes jewellery, loose change, keys, mobile phones, pagers and personal data assistants (PDAs).
• Another of the airport safety and security tips is to take your laptop and video camera out of their case and place them in the tray provided at the security checkpoint.
• Place your overcoat or jacket in the tray at the security checkpoint. Suit jackets and blazers need not be removed, unless requested by the screener.
• Do not leave your baggage unattended.
• One more of the airport safety and security tips in India is to not accept baggage from strangers. This baggage may contain prohibited items or dangerous goods for which you may be later caught and prosecuted.

Travel by Road in India

A great way to experience the natural beauty of the country is to travel by road in India. The country has an extensive network of highways and local roads. Every day, millions of Indians travel over the country’s roads for official and personal reasons. Here is an India road map of the highways and roads in the country.

Click on the India Road Map to enlarge it.

The country also has a diverse range of local transport right from horse drawn carts to modern buses that is available. What’s more, the transport available in different States or different regions of a State varies according to the intricacies of the area.

1. Buses or Mini Buses – This is the cheapest way to travel by road in India. Buses include inter State buses that provide transport over far off cities as well as local city buses. Every major city of India has a bus system with fixed fares. Buses may run on diesel, petrol or compressed natural gas (CNG). Most tour operators have their own buses to take tourists sightseeing. If you are with a large group of tourists, you may consider hiring the services of a private chartered bus for your stay.

2. Taxis – Though rather expensive compared to conventional means of transport, taxis are a useful option to travel by road in India, especially if you are traveling in a small group with lots of luggage. In certain cities such as Mumbai, auto rickshaws are not permitted to ply in some areas; this makes the taxi the only alternative to traveling by bus.

Most airports and railway stations in the country have a prepaid taxi service. This service enables you to book a taxi to a specific destination for a fixed rate. You are saved the hassle of arguing about fares with the cab driver or being taken for a long ride in a strange city. Always remember to take your India road map along to avoid such hassles. However, in case you have a problem, you may immediately lodge a complaint with the traffic police. Recently, the concept of ‘Radio Taxis’ has also been introduced.

3. Autorickshaws – Also known locally as an auto, a tempo or a rickshaw, the autorickshaw is the ideal low cost option to travel by road in India. The look of an auto usually differs from State to State. Generally, it is a vehicle with three wheels that is painted yellow and black. Autorickshaws that run on compressed natural gas are painted yellow and green. The amount of seats in one such vehicle varies from three to eight depending on the type of rickshaw. In some cities, autorickshaws have a fixed route and go about picking up additional passengers for a small fare.

Prepaid autorickshaws are available outside major railway stations and some airports. When you hire an auto, try to go by the meter. If you are in a shared vehicle, fix the fare beforehand with the driver so that you do not have to face any hassle later. Bargaining is allowed.

4. Cycle Rickshaws – Another mode of travel by road in India, the cycle rickshaw is useful for traveling short distances. They are usually available in areas where buses and autorickshaws don’t ply because of traffic congestion or non-profitability of routes. Cycle rickshaws are a tricycle with a high passenger seat for two people. The driver pedals from the front. There is no meter for this vehicle and the fare needs to be fixed by bargaining with the driver in advance.

5. Others – India also has a variety of other unique forms of transport such as horse carriages, tonga, bullock carts, manually pulled rickshaws and motorcycle rickshaws that ply only in fixed areas. If you are looking for more contemporary forms of transport to travel by road in India, then cars and two wheelers are available for hire. However, most car rental agencies provide a driver and don't rent out to individuals even though they may possess a valid international drivers license and other documents.

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Sea Travel India

The beautiful coast of the country can best be experienced while on a sea travel India holiday. If you wish to travel by sea in India, you have many options. You can charter a boat, book a seat on a Shipping Corporation of India passenger vessel, hire a catamaran, private boats, sail boats, row boats, ferry boats ...... the options for a sea farer are truly amazing.

Travelling to offshore islands

The Shipping Corporation of India Ltd or SCI manages and operates sea travel India passenger vessels belonging to the Andaman and Nicobar Administration and the Lakshadweep Administration. The Liner and Passenger Ship Division of SCI also operate two passenger vessels owned by the Shipping Corporation of India in the Andaman and Nicobar Sector.

Regular passenger ship services are available to Port Blair from Chennai, Calcutta and Visakhapatnam. There are three to four sea travel India sailings every month from Calcutta and Chennai to Port Blair and vice-versa. There is one sailing a month from Visakhapatnam. The voyage takes around 50 to 60 hours and the ship normally berths at Port Blair for about two to four days.

Ships to Lakshadweep are available from Kochi. Discounts are available for islanders. Private Cruise Ship companies and travel agencies offer a variety of sea travel India cruises to Lakshadweep and the Andamans. From time to time they have special offers, discounts and tailored packages. Before booking such a trip it is always a good idea to check out the rates and services offered by different tour operators, so that you can get the best bargain.

You can also charter motorboats and ferries from ports of big Indian cities like Mumbai, Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram. These boats come with a captain and are ideal for sea travel India. There is also catamaran services from coastal States like Goa and Andhra Pradesh.

The backwaters of the tropical State of Kerala are best explored through small houseboats. The facility of living in house boats is also available at the lakes of the temperate Himalayan State of Jammu and Kashmir. Other than this, travel by boat is available at all coastal and river side locations in India.