Aug. 24: App-cab aggregator Uber kept its new booking kiosk at Calcutta airport closed today amid allegations of assault and intimidation by metered taxi operators.

Uber and Ola have entered into an agreement with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for parking and pick-up facilities at Calcutta, Chennai, Pune and Lucknow airports. The six-month contract with an extension clause was signed on July 14.

In Calcutta, both taxi aggregators started operating on Wednesday, but immediately ran into opposition from metered taxi operators. The airport authorities have received complaints about app-cab drivers being attacked and threatened in the escalating turf war.

A 500sq m stretch in front of the old domestic terminal has been designated as the parking area for app cabs. Each operator has been allowed to set up a ticketing kiosks measuring 10sq m in the arrival area near Gate 2A and a 8.25sq m one near Gate 3C. A pick-up point has been marked opposite Gate 3A for seven cars at a time.

On Thursday, the pick-up point was taken over by metered taxi operators. They also prevented Uber and Ola from using the kiosks outside the airport building, sources said.

Metro did not find any app-cab parked near the old domestic terminal building today as well, although Ola kept its kiosk open. "We will park our cars in the designated slots when the AAI gives our drivers protection. But we operated our kiosk today and our customers are getting seamless service at the airport," said a spokesperson for Ola.

Uber said it was in talks with the airport authorities regarding the safety of its drivers. "The actions of some individuals that disrupted our efforts to enhance the airport experience are regrettable. We have reached out to the authorities to help us bring our special services back," a company official said.

Airport director Atul Dixit confirmed receiving some complaints from app-cab operators. "I will forward these to the police on Friday, asking them to take action and ensure that these app-cab aggregators can operate smoothly."

Suman Saha, a 29-year-old Ola employee, was at the booking counter today but did not wear the green T-shirt with the company logo embossed on the chest fearing he would be targeted by touts and drivers of metered taxis. "We are not even stepping out of the building with our identity cards visible. Yesterday, they beat up several of my colleagues who were trying to set up the counter. They threatened us today as well," Suman said.

Tarun Dey, who owns and drives a metered Tata Indigo air-conditioned taxi, said his business had suffered since Ola and Uber came in. "We will not allow them to use the kiosks. We will keep protesting till they wind up and leave," he said.

Based on the agreement with AAI, app-cab aggregators have been allowed to charge Rs 35 along with GST towards airport charges from every passenger. They are exempt from paying the parking fee of Rs 100.