MUMBAI: It is legal for drivers to ply autorickshaws from suburban Mumbai to Thane and Navi Mumbai. For that matter, their permits allow them to travel anywhere in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) except the island city.

If an auto driver in Mumbai refuses fare upon hearing that the destination is a faraway place in MMR, the commuter can lodge a complaint of refusal against him, said regional transport officer B I Ajri.

On Monday evening, Ajri organized a massive awareness camp for auto unions and citizens at the Mulund toll naka—informing them about a rule of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Transport Authority (MMRTA) that allows autos to ply anywhere within the region. “Any auto can ply up to Panvel, Kalyan and Vasai,” he said while releasing several stickers on police/RTO helplines that are to be affixed inside autos. “In case a driver refuses to ply beyond a check post, the commuter can lodge a complaint of refusal.”

Local police personnel and traffic cops were present at the awareness camp. “Most citizens are unaware of the rule. Also, some drivers are willing to ply to distant MMR areas, but they do not know the rule. We decided to organize this camp to put all doubts to rest,” Ajri told TOI.

Passengers say they find five of ten drivers willing to ply to Thane or Navi Mumbai . Mulund resident Nitya Shinde said, “About two days back, I was surprised to find that an auto driver from Mulund was willing to ferry me till Koparkhairane in Navi Mumbai.”

A Thane resident said she had taken an auto from Sion to her residence in Vasant Vihar. “It was seamless travel and I did not have to change autos at the check post.”

Auto union leader Thampy Kurien said, “An auto driver does not want to take the risk of rival union members in Vasai-Virar, Thane or Navi Mumbai beating him up.”

Meanwhile, the RTO has proposed a new share auto route connecting Mulund with Thane; the route is to pass through the toll naka.

