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Auto drivers at Nerul fight to get passengers

Apart from rude behaviour, they also pick up fights with commuters if they sit in another auto

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Travelling in autos during office hours in Nerul is becoming a nightmare for commuters. Reason: auto drivers on the west of Nerul railway station fight among themselves to get passengers first.

Sometimes, they even pick up fight with commuters if they sit in another rickshaw. Complains regarding the menace of autorickshaw drivers have been growing with each passing day.

“Every morning I have to struggle to get an auto for sector 18 to my office. Auto drivers themselves fight to take passengers,” says Namrata Sanghvi, a resident of Kharghar.

As per the Motor Vehicles Act (MVA), there are parameters under which an autorickshaw can be impounded if the auto driver violates a permit, overcharges, refuses to ply and tampers with the meter.

Unfortunately, autos near Nerul railway station have been violating more than one offence on routine basis.

Apart from rude behaviour, auto drivers choose to ply only long distance passengers. They refuse to give reason for not plying to a particular area. “All they say is that the meter is not working and drive away,” says Sulochana Patil, a resident of sector 19 in Nerul.

According to Kasam Mulani, president of Navi Mumbai Auto Rickshaw Association, there are three auto stands and around 20 to 25 autos are always standing. “I have not received any complains regarding bad behaviour of auto drivers. But, if they are doing so, I will take strict action against them,” said Mulani.

He added that the number of autos at Nerul station increases and decreases during day time.

Some commuters have complained that there are several autos they have not installed meter and take fares as per their whims and fancies.

“They ask lump sum amounts for a particular distance. We have told them to install meter installed in their autos, but they don’t pay attention and charge exorbitant fares. How will we know how much to pay for a particular distance?” asks Mansi Roy, another commuter.

Sanjay Dhaygude, deputy regional transport office, said all the autos must have electronic meters. “Plying auto without meter or tempered meter is illegal and they are likely to get punished for it,” said Dhaygude.

The regional transport office, Vashi, has got special vigilance team to check the menace, but still there is no respite to commuters.

“The squad conduct checks throughout the city. We want autorickshaws to ply in compliance to the permit and commuters, too, should come forward and help us by complaining against errant auto drivers,” said Dhaygude.

He added that “We will send our squad to check the illegal practice and that commuters can call the helpline or write in the complaint cards that are available on any of the permanent police pickets. Currently, 9,289 autorickshaws plying on Navi Mumbai roads.

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