New Delhi: Passengers using app-based cab aggregator services from Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport will have to shell out more as Delhi International Airport Limited(DIAL) has increased the pick-up charges by around 40%, according to sources.The new charges apply to Ola and Uber rides originating from all three terminals of the airport. The revised collection fee is Rs 245 plus 18% GST — totalling Rs 289.Earlier, the fee was Rs 173, excluding GST.Ola and Uber account for four lakh monthly trips from Delhi airport terminals, and comprise a major chunk of the total airport commercial trips in the national capital.”Airport pick-up fee in Delhi is already among the highest in India and comes to around 25% of the total average fare paid by the rider,” a source said, adding, “With the new increase, the rider will pay almost 40% as pick-up fee. The steep increase does not correspond to any new facilities for riders.”The pick-up fee is reviewed every year. With the new increase, the pick-up will be among the costliest in the country, the source said.Airport fare paid by the rider is a combination of airport pick-up fee, plus toll tax and driver earnings, along with commission. With the increased airport fee, riders will pay more overall.The toll tax, along with the airport pick-up fee, itself will be around 50% of the total fare on average, and this will neither go to the driver nor the aggregator, but to the airport.There was no immediate response from DIAL.Confirming the development, an official spokesperson from Uber said that for all airport trips taken on the cab aggregator, a pick-up fee is charged as part of our commercial agreements with airports.”This fee is passed on to the airport. Uber does not retain these charges. As part of the recent contract renewal with Delhi airport, the pick-up fee for Uber trips from the airport was revised by the airport operator,” he said.The official added, “We want to clarify that there was no increase in fares by Uber itself. The updated fare reflects only the revised airport pick-up fee charged by the airport operator.”

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha govt has issued a stern warning to private and govt schools that were continuing to run classes despite the official declaration of summer vacation from May 3.This comes in the wake of reports from several districts that some schools were still conducting academic activities, flouting the govt’s directive issued in view of the intense heatwave sweeping across the state.The school and mass education department earlier announced summer vacation for all schools from April 22, citing rising temperatures and health concerns for students amidst the intense heatwave situation across the state. However, complaints surfaced that some schools, particularly private ones, were either holding regular classes or conducting extra coaching sessions during school hours.Taking serious note of these violations, the department directed district education officers (DEO) to conduct surprise inspections and submit reports. “Strict action will be taken against any school found violating the summer vacation directive. The safety and well-being of children cannot be compromised,” said Durga Prasad Mohapatra, additional secretary of the department in a letter issued to all district education officers on Wednesday.Parents have also raised concerns over the continued functioning of some schools, stating that prolonged exposure to heat could adversely affect children’s health. The IMD predicted that the heatwave conditions would persist in many parts of the state over the next few days.The department urged all schools to comply with the vacation order and refrain from any academic activity until further notice. The govt has also appealed to parents to report any violations by schools in their locality to the nearest DEO or block education officer.