Now book online taxi service from Howrah

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The taxi service from the bustling Howrah station in West Bengal has been made easy by installing radio-frequency identification devices and allowing online booking.

The services have come at an opportune time as hundreds of passengers at the station that serves as a vital gateway to Kolkata have been facing a harrowing time following serial agitations by the taxi drivers over alleged administrative excesses.

A crackdown on errant drivers led to a large number of them going on strike. The action followed complaints about the drivers rouge behaviour and refusing to accept passengers request.

"We are in the process of installing radio-frequency identification devices (RFDD) in taxi lanes which will allow tracking a taxi the moment it is booked. With the details of the taxi and the driver stored in our database, we can act against him if there is any complaint," Howrah Police Commissioner A.M. Ranade said.

With the latest move, commuters can pay through debit or credit cards.

"We are working out the modalities and at least four such counters will be set up," said Ranade, adding that passengers travelling through train can electronically book taxis in advance quoting their PNR numbers.

"Besides e-booking of taxis, an SMS service has been launched on which passengers can lodge complaints against refusal. This service is in addition to the dedicated helpline that we have to register refusal complaints," said Additional Deputy Commissioner Sumit Kumar.