In Mumbai: RTO, traffic police check 117 autos, book 43 drivers outside Dombivli station

Drivers were booked for operating without badge, not displaying their identity card inside autos, plying four passengers and those driving vehicles that have crossed 16-year limit

The Regional Transport Authority (RTO) and Traffic police initiated a special drive against autorickshaw drivers violating traffic norms on Wednesday .

A traffic police officer books an auto driver outside Dombivli stationon Wednesday. (Praful Gangurde)

The authorities checked 117 autos and took action against 43 drivers on Wednesday.

The drive was initiated at Indira Gandhi Chowk, the most congested area along the station road.

On Day One, authorities booked drivers plying without badge, not displaying their identity cards inside autos, plying four passengers and those vehicles that have crossed the 16-year limit.

“The drive will continue until the station area is decongested. There are several illegal auto stands at the station road and the chowk, which leads to congestion,” said inspector Govind Gambhire of the Dombivli traffic police.

During a meeting with the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) commisioner P Velarasu, the RTO and traffic police authorities decided to collaborate to decongest the station area.

“The traffic police and RTO will conduct similar special drives to decongest roads. All the offenders were booked on the spot,” said Sanjay Sasane, deputy regional transport officer
(Kalyan).

“We were spreading awareness on the importance of sidebars and how they prevent passengers from falling off the vehicle. It is mandatory to have a sidebar during vehicle registration. But several drivers remove them after completing the procedure,” said Sasane.

About Dombivli station

Built in 1886, it is one of the busiest stations on the Central line and witnesses a footfall of more than 3 lakh commuters daily.

Crackdown: Day-1

Auto drivers booked: 43

Vehicles confiscated: 10

Registrations cancelled: 4

Side bar fitted: 48

Issued faced by pedestrians

Illegal auto stands: There are six to seven auto stands near the station, where double-parking is rampant. Thsi causes congestion

Footpaths encroached: The footpaths at the station road are either encroached by the hawkers or the shopkeepers

Illegal parking: Besides double-parking, drivers park their autos carelessly adding to congestion and disrupting buss service.