Latest news with #AnilGalgali
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
60% of e-challan grievances of motorists fined in 13 mths rejected, shows RTI reply
Mumbai: Around 60% of the grievances raised by motorists regarding e-challans issued to them by the traffic police between Jan 2024 and Feb 2025 were rejected, according to the response given by the department to an RTI plea by activist Anil Galgali. The response stated that of the over 1.8 lakh complaints received, around 1.1 lakh were rejected. As per the One State One Challan portal, Mumbai Traffic Police imposed Rs 556 crore in fines against motorists violating traffic rules between Jan 2024 and Feb 2025. Grievances regarding e-challans are reviewed at the multimedia cell at Worli traffic headquarters. Evidence in the form of images of the vehicle at-fault are studied before making a conclusion. If the images are unclear, the complaint is forwarded to the traffic division concerned for verification. The final decision as to whether to uphold or cancel the challan is made after receiving its report. "Citizens should be given fair opportunity to explain their side, and each complaint must undergo thorough and objective scrutiny," said Galgali. tnn
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Ride refusal: 29k auto, taxi drivers face licence suspension
Mumbai: Over 48,000 auto and taxi drivers were issued challans over a fortnight for traffic rule violations , including refusal to ply, as part of a massive crackdown, said traffic police on Monday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The action came in the wake of a rash of complaints by commuters that despite a fare hike in Feb, a section of auto and taxi drivers has continued to refuse rides. As part of a special campaign from April 18-May 4, under the supervision of JCP (traffic) Anil Kumbhare, 28,814 challans were issued for refusal to ply, 1,164 for not wearing uniform, 6,268 for carrying more passengers than permitted, and 12,171 for other violations. A police officer said Rs 40.3 lakh was collected in fines. "The process of suspension of licences for 28,814 auto and taxi drivers for refusal to ply is ongoing at the RTO (regional transport office)," he said. The RTO, besides addressing police cases for suspension of licences, also conducted its own drive in the past few months. An official from the Andheri RTO said that in the western suburbs, 4,553 auto drivers were booked recently and prosecuted for various offences. This included 89 for refusals, eight drivers for demanding excess or inflated fares, 164 for ferrying passengers more than the authorised capacity of the vehicle, two for rigged meters, 11 for rude behaviour, and 4,285 for other offences, such as driving without proper uniform and/or badges and flouting Motor Vehicles Rules. Autos' minimum fare was hiked by Rs 3 to Rs 26 on Feb 1. Auto union leaders said they have cooperated with police and RTO in identifying illegal vehicles and those run by unscrupulous drivers without uniform and badges in several parts, including Jogeshwari, Andheri and Kurla. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Commuter rights activist Anil Galgali suggested that the transport department change the complaints redress mechanism. Instead of calling up commuters and taking a long time to register a complaint, the authorities should take quick action against errant drivers, he said.
