Citizen activists, police start campaign against errant taxi, auto drivers

Decrying the nuisance of errant autorickshaw and taxi drivers, the H-west Federation – an umbrella body of advance locality management (ALMs) from Bandra-Khar-Santacruz – is creating an awareness campaign with help from local police stations and traffic cops, HT reports.

Decrying the nuisance of errant autorickshaw and taxi drivers, the H-west Federation – an umbrella body of advance locality management (ALMs) from Bandra-Khar-Santacruz – is creating an awareness campaign with help from local police stations and traffic cops.

HT Image

The traffic police have printed a postcard-sized form in which a complainant can note down the vehicle number, vehicle type, date, time and location of the incident.

“This is a traffic police initiative to redress passenger complaints regarding faulty meters, fare rejection, rude behaviour and others. This will help collect people’s complaints and send them to the regional transport office (RTO),” said Pratap Dighavkar, deputy commissioner of police.

The federation will distribute this card among its members that includes ALMs and non-government organisations (NGOs). In return, the ALMs and NGOs will dispense it among citizens.

“We have regularly received complaints against errant drivers from college students, office- goers and other citizens in the area. The auto drivers refuse outright to ply to certain places causing inconvenience to passengers. Commuters also notice rigged meters,” said Anandani Thakoor, chairperson H-west ward Federation.

Commuters can also complain on the RTO’s toll-free helpline number 1800220110. They can send an email to tcmaharashtra@yahoo.com.