THANE: Following several complaints of auto rickshaws refusing short distance fares and even overcharging on several occasions, the traffic department has decided to deploy special squads to act against such errant autos.
Cops in civil clothes have been deployed at various spots to keep a check on the auto drivers and those found refusing passengers of charging anything above the RTO tariff have been penalized.
The special squad, which has been active for the last four days has penalized around 425 rickshaw drivers and collected a fine amount of over Rs 70,000 from them. Traffic norms stipulate that the auto rickshaw driver cannot be selective in choosing passengers and is liable for a Rs 200 fine for rejecting to ply a passenger or overcharge.
"Complaints about harassment from the auto rickshaw drivers has risen in the last few days. Some don't want to ply on short distance route, others turn down long-distance passengers and some have given a go-by to the RTO-approved tariff and dictate their fare to the needy passengers. To curb such cases we have formed a team led by a sub-inspector and five constables who will be doing the round of the city in muftis. Anyone found violating the law will be penalized on the spot," DCP (traffic) Amit Kale said.
"Our squad is active from 6 am to midnight and we move around different spots of the city wearing civil dress so as not to alert the violators," said the squad head sub-inspector Baburao Sule.
The officials claimed that they would even be deploying female constables in the squad. "Soon female officers will also be included in the squad along with the men. Also, after everyone 15 days the squad will be change so that the rickshaw drivers are not familiar with the team," added Kale.
Shalini Jog, a resident of Ghodbunder Road says, "I have to travel short distance daily to drop and pick up my daughter from school. There is not a single day when I don't fight with the auto drivers. I have to argue everyday to get an auto, just because I travel short route."
Our squad is active from 6 am to midnight and we move around different spots of the city wearing civil dress so as not to alert the violators. Anyone found violating the law will be penalized on the spot. We will also deploy female cops
I have to travel short distance daily to drop and pick up my daughter from school. There is not a single day when I don't fight with the auto drivers. I have to shout and argue almost everyday to get an auto, just because I travel short route
Cops in civil clothes have been deployed at various spots to keep a check on the auto drivers and those found refusing passengers of charging anything above the RTO tariff have been penalized.
The special squad, which has been active for the last four days has penalized around 425 rickshaw drivers and collected a fine amount of over Rs 70,000 from them. Traffic norms stipulate that the auto rickshaw driver cannot be selective in choosing passengers and is liable for a Rs 200 fine for rejecting to ply a passenger or overcharge.
"Complaints about harassment from the auto rickshaw drivers has risen in the last few days. Some don't want to ply on short distance route, others turn down long-distance passengers and some have given a go-by to the RTO-approved tariff and dictate their fare to the needy passengers. To curb such cases we have formed a team led by a sub-inspector and five constables who will be doing the round of the city in muftis. Anyone found violating the law will be penalized on the spot," DCP (traffic) Amit Kale said.
"Our squad is active from 6 am to midnight and we move around different spots of the city wearing civil dress so as not to alert the violators," said the squad head sub-inspector Baburao Sule.
The officials claimed that they would even be deploying female constables in the squad. "Soon female officers will also be included in the squad along with the men. Also, after everyone 15 days the squad will be change so that the rickshaw drivers are not familiar with the team," added Kale.
Shalini Jog, a resident of Ghodbunder Road says, "I have to travel short distance daily to drop and pick up my daughter from school. There is not a single day when I don't fight with the auto drivers. I have to argue everyday to get an auto, just because I travel short route."
Our squad is active from 6 am to midnight and we move around different spots of the city wearing civil dress so as not to alert the violators. Anyone found violating the law will be penalized on the spot. We will also deploy female cops
I have to travel short distance daily to drop and pick up my daughter from school. There is not a single day when I don't fight with the auto drivers. I have to shout and argue almost everyday to get an auto, just because I travel short route
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