5,165 auto drivers booked for demanding excess fare

Bangalore Traffic Police have registered 5,165 cases against auto drivers for demanding excess fare and 7,593 cases for refusing to ply since July.

The police have also sent 8,112 driving licences to the Transport department, including those of autorickshaw drivers, for suspension over various traffic violations.

According to police officials, on an average, they received about 10-15 complaints pertaining to auto drivers either refusing to ply or overcharging.

The traffic police had conducted drives at several places from where maximum complaints were received, including  Majestic, City Market, Yeshwantpur, Koramangala and Jayanagar.

Those booked were sent to court and asked to pay fines ranging from Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000.

The traffic police have identified other places where similar raids will be conducted by policemen in mufti posing as customers.

Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) B Dayananda said, “If any commuter faces problem with an autorickshaw, they can complain to traffic cops on duty, and necessary action would be taken.

Several other steps are being taken to empower commuters with talks being initiated with autorickshaw unions to stem the menace.”