Check unruly auto drivers

Taxis and autorickshaws remain the staple mode of transport apart from trains and public transport buses. However, taxi and autorickshaw drivers are slowly turning recalcitrant and unruly. While fares in the city are strictly regulated by meters, drivers in the Mira Road area don’t think this law applies to them.

Though you will find meters, but the fares are variable and payable from point to point. The rates are fixed and decided by the drivers. But they are much more than what you would have paid, if you were travelling within the city.

For example, for going to work every day you have to pay Rs40 to Dahisar Check Naka, which is a distance of around 2km. Since autorickshaws plying from Mira Road are not supposed to park there, hence they take return fare.

Going to nearby places like Bhayander, Ghodbunder Road, Kashi Mira and Thane, for work or business makes a deep hole in your pocket. For middle class individuals this is a costly alternative.

Regular non-air-conditioned BEST buses operate upto Kandivli only. This is time-consuming and painful with the traffic congestion in the area. This problem has become a part of our lives, we don’t have a forum to complain. Autorickshaw drivers say that if they are allowed to ply to the city, till Andheri, they are willing to charge by meters. Mira Bhayander Municipal Corporation must resolve situation.
Suprio Ghatak