Cops watch as autos loot passengers

Aneesh Phadnis / TNN / Aug 7, 2007, 04:34 IST

Share

AA

Text Size

Small
Medium
Large

Auto drivers in the city are having a field day by over charging passengers as the cops turn a blind eye.

NAGPUR: When was the last time you paid by meter for a ride in an autorickshaw in the city? Chances are, never. The city’s over 10,000 autos continue to violate traffic rules and fleece passengers allegedly because of government indifference.
The autorickshaw tariff for the city was revised in October 2005 and is in effect now. The minimum fare which is prescribed is Rs 9 but the meter card is not followed.This is despite a specific written assurance to the effect given by autorickshaw unions to deputy police commissioner Amitesh Kumar last January.
It’s not just that the tariff card is not being adhered to in the city. Auto drivers are issued contract carriage permits and even its conditions are being flouted. For instance an auto driver can’t carry more than three passengers, has to keep his auto in authorised stand and can’t refuse a journey irrespective of distance.
Tushar Mandlekar of International Society for Road Transport and Safety said the problem was largely due to inaction of the police. "The tariff card is followed in Mumbai, Thane and Pune. Why is it not followed in Nagpur. It is because enforcement is not strict. If police take it up seriously the problem will get solved in two days."

Deputy police commissioner (traffic) G Aswati, however, promises action. "Action has already been initiated against the auto rickshaws. I will issue separate instructions again," she said.
According to her, the traffic cops registered 18,254 traffic offences of all kinds in last few days. This included action against autos for carrying passengers more than permitted capacity. "Last month, I had also written to the auto unions directing them to follow tariff card and follow other rules."

However, the auto unions replied that they do not ply on meter because residents itself are not in favour of it and they prefer to travel on a seat share basis. "There is not much demand for autos. Further, we face competition from buses and cycle rickshaws. All the autos will have to follow the tariff card and implementation can’t be left to an individual," an auto driver remarked.
"We have taken action on over 200 autos last year. Enforcement can be effective if there is a sustained action. However, we are shortstaffed," said an official from Regional Transport Authority.
He recalled that in mid-1980s the then RTO V P Ghare himself led the drive against auto drivers booking as many as 100 drivers on a single day.

End of Article

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA