'Just click a photo of the number plate and send to us, and we will act against the erring auto driver': This could well be the claim of Mumbai Traffic Police, going by their assertion on Twitter.
However, the Un(fare) campaign initiated by Mumbai Ka DNA on August 21 found that even after dozens of complaints with the number of autorickshaws were provided to the traffic police, there is not a single case of action the latter could boast of. Joint Traffic police commissioner Madhukar Pandey too is wanting when it comes to taking action on auto drivers refusing ride.
On Wednesday, even when it was raining heavily, DNA found most of the auto drivers refusing to take people, leaving the latter to cover long stretches on foot. Private vehicles, including tempo, mini-buses, and taxis, were found helping people, but not auto drivers.
As part of Un(fare) campaign, DNA had prepared a list of such autorickshaw numbers and sent it to Joint Commissioner of Traffic Madhukar Pandey. However, traffic police are yet to initiate action on these numbers.
DNA spoke to a few crusaders who had come out in open using DNA's Un(fare) platform.
In the first incident, a 26-year-old Sapna Bhatia was abused by an auto driver at Mahavir Nagar at Kandivali West on August 21. Though Kandivali police registered an FIR, they failed to arrest the driver.
Senior Inspector Nitin Pondkule of Kandivali police station said, "In the number Bhatia provided, the area code was incorrect. So we've prepared a list with the existing area codes which could help us lead to the accused. Once the auto driver is identified we will take action."
Bhatia said, "I don't have trust in cops now . I repeatedly approached Kandivali police but they're clueless."
In another incident, Prahlad Sharma, 88, was refused an auto ride at Mulund west to drop his granddaughter at St. Annie's School, which is just half a kilometre away from his residence. Sharma told DNA, "I personally met a traffic constable, Patil, near my home and gave him the number of the auto."
"The constable promised action, but it never happened. Daily I keep a pen-paper along with me and if any auto driver refuses me a trip, I note down his vehicle auto number and inform the traffic cop at nakabandi in my area. But my confidence in traffic cops is eroding with every passing day," Sharma said.
DNA had reported almost a dozen such stories in the last 15 days since started this campaign, but the traffic police are yet to take even a single case seriously. DNA has promised its readers of justice and has sent a list of auto numbers to the traffic police and Jt Commissioner Madhukar Pandey for action but that too is yet to yield results.
In most of the cases, DNA readers also posted auto drivers' refusal note on Twitter, but no action has been initiated.
DNA reported stories from Bhandup, Ghatkopar, Kurla, Borivali, Kandivali, Andheri and Sakinaka where more number of cases were reported.
This is all that Jt CP Madhukar Pandey had to say: "We are checking the list you provided. We will provide you with an update."
Lethargy in the system |
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| Despite DNA submitting dozens of complaints with registration numbers of errant autorickshaws, traffic police haven’t initiated action |
| Joint Traffic police commissioner Madhukar Pandey too is wanting when it comes to taking action on auto drivers refusing ride |