Bangalore:
Had a tough time dealing with the auto driver? Here's an NGO that you could turn to. Kiirti, which works for greater transparency in matters that affect the general public, has been at the forefront of an initiative to make city autorickshaw drivers observe the rules.
Even transport commissioner Bhaskar Rao has now taken note of complaints, and written to the joint commissioner in the department, RV D'Souza, to seize at least five autos in each regional transport office in the city. This is expected to instill fear in the minds of errant drivers and inspire the confidence of commuters.
"I have got orders from the commissioner, and I will look at the complaints. We will then take action under the motor vehicles' rules. We will also make public the action we take, in an attempt to deter culprits," D'Souza said.
Sudha Nair, community manager, Kiirti, said, "Our intention is to solve the commuter's problem on the spot. This step from the transport department will spread fear among the drivers who make it a habit to cheat commuters. Once the joint commissioner looks through the complaints, I will contact the complainants. When action is taken, the matter will be posted on Kiirti's web portal."
Several complaints of meters being tampered with are received. With the revised charges, the newly recalibrated meters have raised suspicion.
Commuters pick up quarrels, but find that they are ill-equipped to offer a logical reason for why they think the fare is exorbitant. Auto drivers staunchly protest their innocence. When told that a complaint could be lodged against them, they appear unfazed.
"In August, my wife took an auto from Wilson Garden to Indiranagar, where we live, and the fare came to Rs98. I knew that was way too much, and told the auto driver so in no uncertain terms. He just told me to go off and lodge a complaint with the traffic commissioner, and added that he had no reason to be afraid of anyone," said MB Venkatesh, a senior citizen who registered a complaint through Kiirti.
Joint commissioner in the transport department, RV D'Souza has now offered an assurance that all action taken against errant auto drivers will be publicised. He added that such a measure was necessary, so that commuters have faith in the system.
"The licence granted to these auto drivers will either be cancelled or suspended, depending on the nature of the offence. We will also take action against those using faulty meters," D'Souza said.
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