Hyderabad: RGIA turns into touting hotspot; Over 100 cases registered in 2024

Hyderabad: The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in Shamshabad has become a major hotspot for touting activities, with over 100 cases registered this year alone. Police authorities are increasingly concerned about the growing number of aggressive, unsolicited offers of taxi rides and other services targeting passengers at the airport.

Speaking with Hyderabad Mail, K. Balaraju, Inspector of Police at RGIA Airport Police Station, explained that touting typically involves individuals approaching travelers with offers of unlicensed taxi rides, carpooling options, or other services. “More than 100 cases of touting have been registered this year. These individuals approach passengers with promises of cheaper rides or other services, but often, the fares are inflated, and passengers are taken to distant locations under false pretenses,” said Inspector Balaraju.

Touting is a growing issue at RGIA, where individuals offer services such as unlicensed taxis, hotel bookings, and tour guide services without any official authorization. Many of these individuals use aggressive tactics to pressure travelers into accepting their offers. The victims are often misled into paying higher fares than initially agreed upon, sometimes for services that are subpar or non-existent.

Inspector Balaraju said that the people involved in touting are usually operating without proper licenses or regulatory approval. “These touts have no official permits or documentation to offer these services. We have apprehended several individuals and handed them over to the court also,” he added.

What is Touting?

Touting refers to the practice of aggressively soliciting services or products from people, often in public places, without prior consent. It involves pushing unsolicited offers to travelers, typically at airports, train stations, and other high-traffic locations. Common forms of touting include offering unlicensed taxis, overpriced tours, or goods like tickets and souvenirs at inflated prices.

Recent Touting Incidents at RGIA

In recent months, police have made several arrests in connection with touting activities at RGIA. Two notable cases were reported:

August 2, 2024: A complaint was filed by G. Venkataiah Goud regarding a touting incident at RGIA. The police responded to a call from RAXA Security and apprehended a driver named Md Maqbool, who was found soliciting taxi rides at the D-01 parking area. One passenger, Mahipal Reddy Hanuman, was in the vehicle at the time. Maqbool was arrested, and a case was registered under the Touting Act.

November 10, 2024: Another case of touting was reported by Sridhar Reddy, a resident of Shamshabad. Sridhar Reddy was performing interceptor duties when he received a call from RAXA Security about a touting incident near the “Ohm Pathway D’Parking” area. The police found Shaik Fayaz, a driver from Saroor Nagar, soliciting passengers. Fayaz was arrested, and a case was registered under the Touting Act.

Both drivers were taken into custody and the cases are currently under investigation.