Pimpri auto drivers brazenly violate norm for years

In Pimpri-Chinchwad,auto drivers have not been plying by meters for years because the RTO has not been able to implement the norms effectively.

In Pimpri-Chinchwad,auto drivers have not been plying by meters for years because the RTO has not been able to implement the norms effectively. In fact,drivers do not seem to care for norms,putting forth lame excuses each time that they do not get enough passengers in the industrial town. The Deputy RTOs office says if passengers provide details of the errant drivers,they would take action against them.

In Pimpri-Chinchwad,auto drivers do not ply by meter. No matter how much you plead with them,they wont listen, said Sanjeevani Pandey of Chinchwad. Though electronic meters have been installed,nothing seems to make the auto drivers fall in line. The problem in Pimpri-Chinchwad is that an auto driver does not get a return fare. Suppose from Nashik Phata,he picks up a passenger and drops him at Bhosari MIDC area,he gets Rs 30. But for the return journey,it is difficult to find a passenger,which means he does not earn anything, said S Shaikh,who has been plying his auto without a meter for over two decades.

Since autos dont ply by meters in Pimpri-Chinchwad,commuters say they face hardships as PMPML connectivity is poor in the fringes and Pimpri-Chinchwad MIDC areas,where lakhs are employed in industrial units. On the Pune-Mumbai highway,you get any number of buses within five minutes. But if you go deeper into the industrial town,like Nehru Nagar,Ajmera,Chikhli,Pimprigaon and Ravet,the connectivity of buses is poor. So,it is inevitable for passengers to rely on autos,which is the only mode available 24 X 7, said Lahu Landge,a civic activist.

Deputy Regional Transport Officer Jeetendra Patil said they have been regularly taking action against auto drivers who refuse to ply by meters. In the past few months,we have taken action against those flouting norms under the Motor Vehicle Act,including not plying by meter, he said.

Patil said they can take action only if passengers complain. If a driver refuses to ply by meter,passengers should complain to us. They should provide the auto number and other details either in writing or through phone, he said.

Patil said in such cases,drivers licence is suspended and a fine is imposed. He,however,said they have set up 12 pre-paid autorickshaw centres,which has helped resolve the issue. We are in the process of setting up more such centres, he said.

Citizens can lodge complaints on toll-free number 1800233012

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