The Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport is witnessing rampant cases of touting especially with foreign nationals, a menace that damages India’s reputation on the global stage and deters foreign tourism, with the arrest of 540 touts and the seizure of 254 vehicles this year significantly surpassing last year’s figures of 264 arrests and 96 vehicle seizures.

“In a determined effort to eradicate touting activities at IGI Airport, Delhi Police's IGI Airport Unit has launched an extensive and strategic crackdown, resulting in an unprecedented impact on passenger safety and airport operations. With the arrest of 540 touts and the seizure of 254 vehicles in 2024, compared to 264 arrests and 96 vehicle seizures in 2023, the IGI Airport Police has demonstrated a zero-tolerance policy toward touting,” the police said in a statement.

Touting, the act of coercing or deceiving passengers into using unauthorized services, has long been a persistent problem at IGI Airport. It involves touts misguiding travellers to use unauthorized taxis, accommodation services, or even shopping options. This deceptive practice not only compromises passenger safety but also tarnishes the airport's reputation, often leaving victims vulnerable to financial exploitation, harassment, and safety risks.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (IGI) Usha Rangnani said, “Touting at IGI Airport is a criminal offense under the Delhi Prevention of Touting & Malpractices against Tourist Act, and the police have demonstrated a zero-tolerance approach toward this illegal activity.”

Several cases in recent months have been reported at the Delhi airport where travellers including foreign nationals have been targeted especially at night by these people. In one incident, a foreign national arriving late at night was approached by a tout who falsely claimed that protests in Delhi had caused all hotels and public transport to shut down. The tout exploited the passenger’s concerns and lured him into his trap, charging Rs. 98,700 under the pretense of arranging travel to Varanasi.

The victim was later abandoned on the roadside. “Acting swiftly, the IGI Airport Police registered the complaint and launched a coordinated operation. Within 24 hours, they apprehended the four suspects involved, including the mastermind, Amit Malhotra. The police froze the suspects’ bank accounts, ensuring the victim’s money was recovered,” the DCP said.

She added that in another case, a foreign national was overcharged five times the standard taxi fare from IGI Airport to CR Park. The victim's friend lodged a complaint and within hours, the IGI Airport Police tracked down the offenders, Monu Bhati and Kamal, and arrested them.

Moreover, earlier this year, a solo female traveler was targeted by touts who misled her about hotel closures and attempted to coerce her into paying for ‘premium’ services. Upon receiving her complaint, the IGI Airport Police arrested the offenders.

The IGI Airport Police have also taken several proactive measures to combat touting. Specialized teams, including plainclothes officers, patrol the terminals, arrival areas, and parking zones around the clock.

Further, enhanced foot and motorcycle patrols allow officers to navigate crowded areas and swiftly access remote parts of the airport, while collaborations with RAXA (Airport Security Group) and DIAL (Delhi International Airport Limited) have strengthened intelligence-sharing and operational coordination. Additionally, joint operations with traffic police target both touting activities and traffic violations.

To further curb touting, the police rely on intelligence gathered through surveillance and public feedback. Their "Eyes and Ears" scheme has enabled the police to carry out targeted raids, reducing the freedom of touts to operate. In addition, preventive measures ensure that repeat offenders are continuously monitored and kept from returning to illegal activities.

AThe arrested touts belong to multiple states, highlighting the widespread nature of this issue including 373 from Delhi, 107 from Uttar Pradesh, 32 from Haryana, 11 from Bihar and others from Rajasthan, Punjab, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, and Sikkim.