Bangalore: Despite an increase in the fares recently, autorickshaw drivers continue to harass people for more fare, refusing to ply and behave abusively with passengers.
What is worse is that harassed commuters cannot even lodge their complaints immediately as the helpline numbers, 080-25588444 and 080-25588444, set up to address problems related to autorickshaw drivers, has not been functioning for the last few days.
Harassment by autorickshaw drivers reaÂched its peak on New Year’s Eve when they charged exorbitant fares from commuters.
Bandita B. from Delhi, who visits Bangalore often, said, “On December 31, I took an auto from Nimhans to Tavarekere Main Road. The auto driver charged me a whopping Rs 130 for a distance of 3 km! He was drunk and created a ruckus in front of the people when I refused to pay. I tried calling the traffic helpline number, but it just did not connect.”
Tarun Khasyap, a marketing professional, said, “I depend on autorickshaws to go around the city. Auto drivers’ demands for fares have gone up after the hike. To travel a distance of around 2.5 km, they are charging around Rs 80 which is not justifiable at all.”
B. Dayanand. ACP (Traffic), told Deccan ChrÂonicle that the helpline numbers are not working as the Traffic Management Centre and IVRS (interactive voice recognition system) numbers are being shifted to the new building situated on Infantry Road.
“As soon as I was informed by a Deccan Chronicle reporter on January 1, I directed my people to put up some alternative numbers on the Facebook page where people can complain about harassment by auto drivers,” he said.
The helpline numbers are expected to start working again by this weekend. Till the lines are set up, Dayanand has requested the public to lodge their complaints with 52225 for Airtel users and 9663952225 for other telecom users. One can also email on bangÂaloretrÂafficpoÂliceÂ@gmail.com or automaÂtionÂcentÂretti@gÂmail.com.
On the increasing number of cases of harassment by auto drivers, Dayanand said, “There are about 40,000 auto drivers in the city. We are working with the auto drivers’ unions to encourage positive behaviour by the drivers.”
Campaign against unaÂuÂthorised autos: There are about 1.5 lakh autorickshaws in the city, of which 30 per cent are unauthorised.
B. Dayananda, ACP, said, “Soon, we are planning to weed out unauthorised autorickshaws in the city. We will verify the documents of autorickshaws and will provide them stickers which certify them as bona fide autos.”
