Bengaluru police's major crackdown on auto-drivers, 700 booked in a day

425 morning-shift police personnel, disguised as regular commuters conducted the drive in the city's hotspots
Bengaluru police's major crackdown on auto-drivers, 700 booked in a day
Bengaluru police's major crackdown on auto-drivers, 700 booked in a day
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In what will seem like a relief to those complaining that auto-rickshaw drivers demand excess fare and refuse to ply, Bengaluru Traffic police has finally acted on such errant auto drivers.

A surprise two-hour drive on Thursday in the east and west divisions of the city alone, the traffic police has seized nearly 700 auto rickshaws for various offences like over-charging, failing to go on hire and not carrying a driver display board, reported Deccan Chronicle.

The drive that started at 6 am, the police have seized 100 rickshaws with no license display cars. The police later extended the drive to the rest of the city as well.

According to Bangalore Mirror report, nearly 425 morning-shift police personnel, disguised as regular commuters conducted the drive in areas like Majestic bus stand, KR Puram, Jayanagar, Madiwala market, High Grounds, Cubbon Park, and Navrang Circle. Many commuters from these areas complained of atrocious autorickshaw-drivers.

BM reported that by 8 am, cops had booked 332 auto drivers for refusal to ply, 206 more for demanding excess fare, and another 162 for not having a valid display board at the back of their vehicles.

“The complaints against autorickshaw drivers are countless, and by conducting such surprise checks on a regular basis, we can instill some fear into those that break the law. Of course there were drivers who argued and tried to be brash with our personnel after being caught on Thursday, but they were firmly told that they could only get their vehicles released after paying the fine mandated by the court,” said additional commissioner of police (traffic) M A Saleem.

Meenakshi Sundaram, member, Centre of Indian Trade Unions pointed at the double standards of the traffic police.

The Hindu quoted Sundaram saying, “There is no action against cab aggregators, who operate in violation of the law. Not only do they charge more when demand goes up, they also ply for lesser rates when the demand is down. This is against the law to check unfair competition,” said 

This is an aggregated report from The Hindu, Bangalore Mirror, Deccan Chronicle

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