Taxi drivers’ aggression towards tourists proves costly for Munnar

Thodupuzha: Munnar’s tourism sector, already affected by national highway construction and traffic congestion, appears to be facing further setbacks due to the aggressive behaviour of local taxi drivers. The incident, in which Mumbai-based content creator Janvi said on Instagram that her pre-booked cab wasn't allowed to operate in Munnar, has been the latest of the lot. Reports suggest that frequent incidents involving cab driver hostility have contributed to a decline in revenue at major tourist spots.

Iravikulam National Park
 • Revenue in 2023: Rs 10.23 crore
 • Revenue in 2024: Rs 2.24 crore
 • Till March 2025: Rs 57 lakh
Pambadum Sholai National Park
• 2023: Rs 3.70 crore
• 2024: Rs 65 lakh
• Till March 2025: Rs 2.39 lakh

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
• 2023: Rs 42.83 lakh
• 2024: Rs 7.50 lakh
• Till March 2025: Rs 2.34 lakh

Tourists flock to Wagamon and Thekkady
Meanwhile, tourist destinations like Wagamon and Thekkady in Idukki district have seen a rise in visitor numbers and revenue. Pine Valley in Wagamon alone generated Rs 77.15 lakh till March. Calvary Mount brought in Rs 25 lakh, and Thommankuthu Rs 7 lakh during the same period. From Chokramudi near Munnar, Rs 13.59 lakh was collected till March.

‘No Entry’ for online cabs in Munnar
The experience Janvi faced last Thursday mirrors what many visitors arriving in online cabs have encountered in Munnar. While online cabs operate freely across the country, taxi drivers in Munnar are reportedly enforcing an unofficial ‘No Entry’ policy.

Over the past year alone, multiple incidents of assault and unlawful detention of online cab drivers have been reported from Munnar and Anachal. Online cab drivers Jiju Jayan of Kalladikkunnu, Kozhikode, and Swapnesh of Athani, Nedumbassery, were assaulted on March 4 and April 7, respectively. Several online cabs have also been vandalised.

Two-wheelers introduced for tourist rentals were also withdrawn two years ago due to opposition from taxi drivers. Allegations persist that certain local leaders and police personnel are supportive of such high-handed behaviour. Taxi drivers also protested against the introduction of a KSRTC double-decker bus for tourists in Munnar. Minister K B Ganesh Kumar, who had come for the bus’s inauguration, was stopped on the road by these protesting drivers.

Cops suspended for siding with taxi drivers who harassed Janvi
Munnar: Two police officers, including a Grade Sub-Inspector, have been suspended, and three taxi drivers arrested in connection with harassing Janvi and her driver. 

The arrested individuals were identified as P Vijayakumar (40), of Palakkad Factory Division; K Vinayakan (44), of Thenmala Estate New Division; and A Aneesh Kumar (40), of Jyothi Bhavan, Munnar. They were booked on charges including illegal detention and intimidation. All three were later released on station bail.

The District Police Chief suspended Grade Sub-Inspector George Kurian and Assistant Sub-Inspector Saju Paulose of the Munnar police station based on a preliminary report indicating that the officers who arrived at the scene sided with the taxi drivers instead of assisting the woman in distress.

Janvi, a teacher from Mumbai, posted a video online detailing her ordeal with taxi drivers and the police while visiting Munnar in an online cab last Thursday. She was allegedly detained by a group that claimed online cabs were prohibited in Munnar under a court order. Despite seeking police assistance, the officers who arrived reportedly supported the taxi drivers. In her video, Janvi stated that she had to continue her trip in another taxi and eventually cut her journey short due to safety concerns. She further said she would never visit Kerala again.

Janvi removes her video
While the Kerala Tourism department took action following Janvi's allegations, the content creator has since taken down her video from social media, in which she raised the issues. Authorities say that, from now on, police and tourism officials will be extra alert to serve tourists in the region.