Traffic police, RTO initiates crackdown on unruly autos

Kolhapur:The Kolhapur traffic police department and RTO has decided to crack down on auto-rickshaws parked illegally beyond designated stops and along the road side.A meeting was held on Tuesday evening between the traffic cops and auto-rickshaw union representatives, as per the guidance of superintendent of police Yogeshkumar Gupta.Cops told the representatives that often, auto drivers operate without the badge. They told representatives that passengers have reported rude behavior and being charged high fees for travelling at night."We have found that at Central Bus Stand after 3 am, autos are parked beyond the designated stop. They ferry passengers and drive the auto on the wrong side. At most places, auto drivers park their autos outside designated spots, along the road side at places such that they case heavy traffic congestion," said Nandkumar More, city traffic police inspector.On Tuesday, the RTO took 12 autos into custody for the drivers flouting the rules. These autos were released only upon payment of the fine.