RTO Mumbai Police (Traffic) on drive against erring autorickshaws crackdown in Ghatkopar
RTO Mumbai Police (Traffic) on drive against erring autorickshaws crackdown in Ghatkopar
Hiring autorickshaws in Mumbai have always been a big
experience. Their attitude is unimaginable.
Thanks to the RTO and the Mumbai Police for their recent drive lasted against the erring auto drivers. The crackdown drive was conducted from 10am to 6pm, with RTO officials and traffic police checking the rickshaws for overcrowding, refusing passengers, licences, permits, and other documents.
Even as some autorickshaws scrambled and tried to flee, others begrudgingly paid the fine, and yet others accepted their mistake and vowed not to repeat the offence.
The five-day crackdown drive against the erring autos and taxis was conducted by the Regional Transport Office (RTO) and Mumbai Traffic Police against errant autorickshaws outside Ghatkopar station.
On 31 August in Thane, India – Mumbai RTO department took taken action against auto rokshow driver who broke the rules at Ghatkopar West and Thane. The day’s bounty was
96 cases.
While some autorickshaws tried to flee, others begrudgingly paid the fine, and yet others accepted their mistake and vowed not to repeat the offence.
The most number of offences, at 25, were to do with the absence of fitness certificates (condition of autorickshaw). This was followed closely by drivers booked for refusing passengers who had asked them to go by meter.
Autorickshaws lacking proper insurance were 14, badge-less drivers were 12, without licence at 11 and absence of proper PUC certificates and permits were six each.
Only six autorickshaws were caught for overcrowding, i.e., seating a fourth passenger (mostly on the front seat next to the driver). Two were held up for having fancy number plates.
There also were two cases of vehicles without proper documents and who hadn’t been on RTO’s record for around five years. The vehicles were sent to the detention yard, from which they will only be released after the payment of a fine of ₹29,000 after all the documents are cleared.
As per Dipali Jadhav, inspector of motor vehicles, they considered the combined drive taken by the RTO and the traffic police in the areas of Vikhroli, Kurla, Vikhroli, Vidyavihar and Ghatkopar in the past days successful. However, they will continue to carry out our randomised checks.
Commuters were, on the whole, receptive to the drive and regarded it positively,and pinned hopes that it would result in an improvement. “These drives need to take place,” said Mahendra Paste, one Ghatkopar resident.
Many rickshaw drivers prefer not to go for short distances or in areas where there is traffic. So to wait for 15 to 20 minutes for a rickshaw that will agree to go by the meter. What will happen when there’s an emergency and someone needs to go to a hospital?” asked Paste.
He complained on having to pay ₹15 per seat to Amrutnagar when he is with his family, while a rickshaw plying by the meter would not cost more than the minimum. With his earnings at ₹8,000 per month, the fare is hardly affordable, and so, has to spend a longer time waiting for the bus. The rash driving and overcrowding are added hazards.
However, Paste conceded that the drive was only a temporary measure. “Of course, the rickshaw drivers will behave when there are police personnel around. But what about ltomorrow and the day after?
News Edit K.V.Raman
