Sadhan Pande calls for crackdown on auto drivers charging high fares

Kolkata: In the wake of complaints against unprecedented fares charged by auto rickshaw drivers in different parts of the city, state Consumer Affairs department Sadhan Pande on Friday announced a slew of measures to crackdown on irregularities on the part of the drivers of the three wheelers.

Addressing a public meeting organised by the auto union in collaboration with Kolkata Police at Ultadanga crossing, the minister said the department will introduce complaint boxes at three places in the city, where citizens can write against any unfair practice by auto-rickshaw drivers.

"We will have complaint boxes at Ultadanga and places like Gariahat and Karunamoyee, where people can drop written complaints against auto drivers, charging high fares, behaving rudely or any other irregularities. The complaints will be accessed directly by me and strong action will be taken in case of irregularities," the minister said.

Pande warned against using certain stretches of the road at Ultadanga as the auto stand. "The road here is meant for vehicles travelling at a brisk pace. Autos standing here and there in a queue for picking up passengers will be strictly dealt with and I will urge police to take legal steps," he maintained.

The minister in a word of advice to the auto drivers urged them to be polite with the passengers. "If you greet a passenger with folded hands, the latter's impression about you changes automatically and this helps in building cordial relations with the passengers," he added.

The minister also instructed the auto union to have a fare chart in place for the respective auto routes so that passengers have an idea of the fare.

The department is also planning to set up banners on auto routes to and fro from Ultadanga displaying phone numbers of Maniktala and Ultadanga police station and Ultadanga traffic guard where a person can call and inform about unfair practice by the auto drivers. A few days back, commuters had blocked Ultadanga crossing for 45 minutes, demanding action against auto drivers, who have been charging extra even during

the day.