Chennai residents and consumer groups have called for the Bharat Taxi app to be introduced in Tamil Nadu, citing frequent overcharging by autos and app-based cabs, particularly during high-demand periods.
With urbanisation rising across India, daily reliance on autos and call taxis has increased. However, fares on private app platforms are not fixed, and passengers often face steep, multiple-fold charges when demand surges.
To address this, the Bharat Taxi app was recently introduced as a single platform aimed at enabling travel at lower, standardised fares. The service has already been rolled out in a few states, including Delhi, Gujarat and Jharkhand, but is yet to begin in Tamil Nadu.
Paul Barnabas, state president of the Tamil Nadu Consumer Protection Federation, said lakhs of people in cities like Chennai use autos and call taxis for short trips every day, but suffer due to unregulated pricing. He urged the state government to take steps to bring Bharat Taxi to Tamil Nadu.
He also suggested that before implementation, the government should hold tripartite talks involving consumer organisations, vehicle owners and drivers to gather views and ensure a smooth rollout.
