Returned yesterday i.e. June 2, 2016 from somewhere and was compelled to take a prepaid taxi from the P4(just a fancy name for the 4th floor) at the International Airport in Mumbai. A simple google search tells me that the distance from the airport to my residence is 15 kms. I was charged, hold your breath, Rs. 470/- for this ride on a black yellow NON AIR CONDITIONED RICKETY VINTAGE MARUTI VAN.
I was surprised that I was paying more than Rs. 30/- per km for a horribly maintained vehicle, but I had no choice. As soon as the vehicle started moving, there was a barrier gate where a guard coolly collected Rs. 100/- from the driver of my taxi. I was equally surprised at this organised loot run by either the Airports Authority with the tacit approval of the State Government or the State Government itself. I really don’t know who manages the show. Normally State Govts manage such counters to ensure that passengers are not fleeced by taxi drivers. Here, however, the entire system seems to have broken down. The passenger is left with the feeling of being an idiot having been systematically fleeced by an organized racket and a lot more lighter through his wallet.