Couple claims ‘taxi mafia’ in Kerala turned their trip into a nightmare: ‘They threatened, followed us’ | Popular

The coastal city of Kerala, Alappuzha, is often referred to as the “Venice of the East” due to its extensive network of canals and inland waterways. It is a favorite destination for tourists and travelers alike. However, one couple told Reddit that they will never return to the place, claiming it is because of their interaction with the ‘taxi mafia’. They said that local taxi drivers harassed them when they booked a taxi through ride-sharing services.

“I and my wife visited Alleppey (former name Alappuzha) on October 2, planning to stay for just one day before going to Munnar. Initially we were considering our transportation options when a seemingly nice taxi driver approached us. He kindly persuaded us to give him details about our stay and our plans to travel to Munnar. He quoted ₹5500, but we told him we would think about it. He insisted on getting a missed call from us, which in retrospect was a red flag,” one man wrote.

He said the same taxi driver called him again, but he politely declined his services. This led to the driver following them and asking why they did not want his services. They refused again, but what happened next left the couple shocked.

“I told him to back off, but…”

“As soon as we reached our hotel, we saw seven to eight taxi drivers waiting outside and interrogating us about our travel plans to Munnar. The ‘leader’ of this group approached us and threatened that online bookings would be banned in Alappuzha and that it would ‘end badly’ if we did not use local taxis. “I told him to back off, but they wouldn’t leave and just hung around,” the man added.

He then explained that the “intimidation did not stop” and that the tax drivers followed him and his wife as they drove out of town.

Read the entire ordeal here:

The man’s post sparked outrage, with many suggesting he was “naming and shaming” the drivers who threatened them. Some advised the man to post his ordeal on X and seek help from the authorities.