Pramesh S Jain
Continuing crackdown on erring autorickshaw drivers,the transport department on Monday launched a citywide surprise checks across the city and booked as many as 260 cases for different violations .
According to a press release,22 teams comprising of transport officials have been formed and dispatched to different directions to start the drive at 8:00 am.
The teams focused on autos operating without valid permits,charging exorbitant rates,refused to go on hire and violating traffic or transport regulations.
By the end of the day-long operation,260 cases were registered,and 98 autorickshaws were seized for various violations.
These included lack of valid documents,non-functional and tampered fare meters,and refusal to operate on metered fares.
Officials reported the highest number of violations in the Bengaluru South RTO limits,where 48 cases were booked and 18 autos seized.
This was followed by Bengaluru West with 36 cases and 13 autos seized.
Bengaluru East with 30 cases and 5 autos,and Electronic City zone with 26 cases and 8 autos.
Other cases booked in zones including Bengaluru North with 25 cases,3 autos seized,KR Puram with 19 cases,5 autos seized,Jnanabharathi zone with 18 cases,16 autos seized,Yelahanka Zone with 11 cases,5 autos seized, Chandapura zone with 11 cases,4 autos seized and Devanahalli zone 6 cases,2 autos seized.
The crackdown comes amid a surge in public complaints over fare manipulation,route refusals,and passenger harassment by autorickshaw drivers.
The special drive will continue to keep a check on autorickshaw drivers who allegedly harass people especially after they are in demand followig the ban of bike taxis .
