A recent Ola ride took a disturbing turn for Puja S, a Gurgaon resident, raising serious concerns about passenger safety. On her way to the Delhi airport last week for an early flight, Puja had booked both an Ola and a Rapido cab to increase her chances of getting a ride. Opting for Ola due to her trust in the service, she was soon caught in a harrowing situation.
Just ten minutes into the journey, the driver made an unexpected stop to fill his bottles and then claimed the vehicle wouldn’t start unless she paid via a QR code. Despite Puja’s insistence on ending the ride first to confirm the final amount, the driver allegedly pressured her to pay upfront, threatening her if she attempted to leave. In a distressing turn, the driver reportedly raised his hand in a threatening manner, saying, “I’ll hit you so hard.”
Puja described the driver’s escalating aggression, noting that he spoke in Haryanvi, issued further threats, and even began recording her without permission. She recounted the driver’s threats, including, “I’ll come back at night and show you what happens.”
In a state of panic, Puja managed to book another cab and made it to the airport in time for her flight. She expressed her gratitude to the second driver, who not only picked her up midway but also ensured she reached her destination safely. She rewarded him with a bit extra for his help and announced her intention to take legal action against the initial driver.
The incident has sparked outrage on social media. Anindita Deb voiced her concern, sharing her own issues with Ola’s “popular fare” policy, which often results in drivers demanding higher fares. Sakshi Saxena pointed out the irony of such safety lapses occurring around Independence Day when women’s safety was being widely discussed.
Puja’s alarming experience underscores the need for robust safety measures within ride-sharing services. Enhanced protocols are crucial to preventing such frightening encounters in the future.
