Autos get 1,000 e-challans daily for passenger refusal
Data with the traffic department shows that 3.69 lakh challans were issued annually for refusals in 2024, up 282% from 96,678 challans issued in 2022. Taking on excess passengers, another key violation, nearly doubled from 53,611 challans in 2022 to 1 lakh challans in 2024.
Traffic police officers attributed the rise in numbers to an increase in crackdowns on errant auto drivers. "Refusal is a serious issue," said DM Gosavi, secretary of the Seva Sarathi Autorickshaw Taxi and Transport Organisation.
"The govt had prepared a policy for rooftop indicators for autos, but it was never implemented. Coloured lights were supposed to go up if an auto was occupied by a passenger, or if the driver was off-duty, or the vehicle was available for hire.
It could have reduced refusals to some extent. Our union has been pushing for the Yatri Mitra app to ensure there is an auto at the doorstep of the passenger and fare is paid strictly by the meter."
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Police data also shows a sharp rise in inebriated drivers from just two challans for drink driving in 2022 to 189 challans in 2024. Autos not adhering to pollution norms was another issue of concern with 1923 challans issued in 2024 for non-possession of PUC certificates, up 150% from 768 challans in 2022. Activist Godfrey Pimenta recounted a recent incident where two women commuting by auto from Bandra to Malad around 2am were harassed by the driver when they pointed out that his meter was rigged.
He insisted they pay the inflated fare and threw their money back at them when they paid the regular fare. "The women got no support at the local police station either," Pimenta said.
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Activist Anil Galgali suggested that the traffic police should step up visibility at locations where frequent instances of refusals or taking on excess passengers were reported. "In certain areas such as Kurla, autos queue up only in the shared-autos lane.
They do not venture towards passengers waiting for non-shared autos. Police must intervene and ensure all passengers find a ride to their destination," Galgali said.
"The complaints redressal mechanism put in place by the transport department also needs an overhaul."
Mumbai Rickshawmen's Union leader Thampy Kurien said they had complained to the authorities about instances where certain drivers blatantly flouted rules, but their complaints had fallen on deaf ears. To tackle the issue of excess fare being demanded from passengers, Kurien suggested getting at least 50 to 100 more legally approved share-auto stands which will have RTO-approved rates written on them.
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