PGCIL switches from local taxis to Ola for official visits

Mumbai: The Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) has made way for the services of app-based cab-haling giant Ola to ferry its officials during work-related visits, as opposed to local taxi services

According to an Indian Express report, this step was taken by PGCIL to cut down on financial costs incurred while availing local taxi services and to improve "operational efficiency".

This move marks the departure from the usual practice of public sector units to use local taxis for official visits. It comes at a time when local taxi units across the country and especially in metros are feeling the heat from app-based ride-hailing services Ola and Uber, among others.

Officials have often complained of “various complexities” being involved in the process of issuing tenders to local taxi units.

“Since mid-April 2017, we have incorporated the services of Ola cabs as an additional travelling solution for official assignments on a requirement basis. All officers in the rank of General Manager and below have started using Ola Corporate now. Officials above the rank of General Manager will keep using cars provided by the government,” said a senior PGCIL official.

This switch from local taxi services to Ola or Uber, may also be undertaken by other public sector units like National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC) and Rural Electrification Limited (REC). Moreover, PGCIL, which is experimenting with this move in Delhi and the National capital Region (NCR), may implement the same in other cities if it works out well for them.