MUMBAI: RTOs have permanently

150 driving

of errant autorickshaw drivers for refusals and cancelled 100 permits of other drivers, which is the most stringent action ever in Maharashtra till date. Till now, auto drivers would be fined or their licences suspended for two weeks but now they cannot ply

again.

In a drive this month, 445 drivers in eastern and western suburbs were apprehended for refusing passengers “deliberately” and “leaving them stranded”. This is being done as per fresh directives from state transport commissioner Shekhar Channe. TOI has highlighted earlier this month that licences of those caught for refusals will be cancelled as per the circular. “As for the rest, their licences are being processed for cancellations and they will be given a chance to defend themselves,” a senior official said.

“We have zero tolerance for drivers who refuse passengers, especially students, women and senior citizens. They will have to go off streets and cannot ply autos any longer,” he said.

This is part of a month-long drive which ends this weekend. RTOs from Wadala, Andheri and Borivli offices also confiscated 117 illegal autos, which will be smashed to ensure their spare parts are not reused.Latest statistics on Thursday showed 20 cases of passengers being asked for excess fares. The RTOs are probing if meters are being tampered with following allegations of cartels of drivers in Bandra, Kurla and other places using ‘ghoda’ meters (which show inflated readings).

Many drivers were not carrying valid documents, although they wore khakhi uniforms. “Some drivers did not have mandatory badges. We have taken stringent action, which includes hefty fines and suspension of licence,” an official who is part of the drive said.

A total 1,049 licences have been impounded from errant drivers, while action has been taken against more than 150 drivers in Andheri, Jogeshwari, Borivli and other places, where four or more passengers were being ferried. As per rules, an auto can ferry only three passengers.

spokesperson Abhay Deshpande said, “The drive is a message to the rogues that we will not spare anyone caught for refusals, excess fares, no badge or ferrying extra passengers.” Auto union leader Shashank Rao, welcoming the initiative, said his Mumbai Autorickshawmen’s Union, the biggest in the suburbs, was willing to assist RTO squads in weeding out unscrupulous drivers.

Channe has directed RTO teams to conduct surprise checks and pose as customers to nab the culprits, sources said. The transport chief, who stays in Andheri and travels by autos occasionally, told TOI, “I am determined to end this menace.”

Commuter rights activists have lauded RTO efforts, saying refusals are rampant outside railway stations during evening peak hours. “RTOs must be supported by traffic police, who have more staff and can deploy constables outside stations from 6pm to discipline errant drivers,” an activist said.