Traffic police have booked 118 taxis for overcharging passengers in the past week, with many of them found tampering with fare meters.

Cabbies found tampering with fare meters may face a fine of Rs 5,000.

The Metropolitan Traffic Police Division had launched a campaign against scrupulous taxis last week, following complaints from passengers.

The rule stipulates that taxis should go on meter for a distance over 2km, but many taxi drivers are often found reluctant to travel short journeys on meter.

According to Sitaram Hachhethu, chief of District Traffic Police Office, Lalitpur, cabbies swindle passengers mainly in hospital areas, bus stations, party venues and cinema halls.

“We have been closely monitoring taxis to ensure that they don’t take advantage during emergencies and non-availability of public vehicles,” he said

The traffic office in the district has set up 10 designated taxi points at Satdobato, B&B Hospital, Gwarko, Patan Hospital, Lagankhel, Jawalakhel, Mangalbazar, Patan Dhoka, Mahalaxmisthan and Kupondole. Fifteen traffic police in civil dress have been deployed for inspection at these places.

The flag-down taxi fare is Rs14 with Rs36 for each additional kilometre travelled during the daytime. At night, the flag-down charge is fixed at Rs21 with Rs54 for each additional kilometre Hachhethu said, cases related to meter-tempering has been referred to the Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology for legal action.