Crackdown on errant drivers in eastern suburbs continues

For the second day in a row, the Wadala Regional Transport Office (RTO) continued its crackdown on auto-rickshaw drivers who refused passengers. Over 50 cases were registered across Kurla, Chembur, Ghatkopar and Mulund. Prajakta Chavan and Pooja Domadia report.

For the second day in a row, the Wadala Regional Transport Office (RTO) continued its crackdown on auto-rickshaw drivers who refused passengers. Over 50 cases were registered across Kurla, Chembur, Ghatkopar and Mulund.

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“We are aware of the inconvenience caused because of rickshaw drivers who refuse to ply,” said Vikas Pandkar, regional transport officer, Wadala.

In Mulund, cases were registered against 15 drivers for refusing passengers. “Drivers usually refuse to ply to Airoli and Anandnagar toll naka, as they find it difficult to get return fare from there,” said an official from Wadala RTO. In Chembur east, 12 cases were registered against errant drivers.

“We have registered three complaints for long distance refusal and nine for short distance refusal. Passengers to Sion, Vashi naka, Govandi, Deonar and some localities in Chembur were refused,” informed the official.

In Kurla, eight complaints were registered.

Meanwhile, in Ghatkopar, more cases were registered for meter tampering than for fare refusal. Most of the 20 cases registered from eastern and western regions of the suburb were over rigged meters.

“Mechanical meters can be easily tampered with; electronic meters are tough to manipulate. With an electronic meter, the passenger will come to know how much distance has he/she has traveled, start and end time, halting time, charges and so on,” added the official.