The attack on an Indian Against Corruption (IAC) volunteer by an autorickshaw union on October 11, has proved to be a blessing in disguise for commuters in the Mira-Bhayander region.
The region, which was once infamous for meterless autorickshaw travel, now sees most autorickshaw passengers being ferried as per the meter. The IAC has consistently been campaigning against meterless auto travel.
“The attack on me by the autorickshaw union was the turning point...Since the issue went out of control, there was immense pressure on the auto drivers to start flouting rules,” said Rakesh Sarawgi, volunteer of IAC.
According to Mr Sarawgi, who has been campaigning for the rights of the commuters, currently, only few autorickshaw drivers are refusing to ferry passengers as per the meters. “However, we are hopeful that in the days to come, even they will give in to our demands,” he said.
Having managed to plug meterless travel, the volunteers of IAC have now started distributing the latest autorickshaw fare charts to the residents of Mira-Bhayander free of cost.
“Earlier, autorickshaw drivers would openly loot passengers. They would charge lump sum fares, instead of charging according to the meter,” said Prajwal Kumar, a resident of Mira Road.
Sadiq Basha, another Mira Road resident, said, “Paying by meter has brought down the fares by 25 per cent. This is definitely a positive and welcome step.”
When contacted, Subhash Ware, deputy officer, Regional Transport Office, Thane said, “We haven’t started acting against the drivers, who aren’t plying by meters. For now, we have requested people to refrain from entertaining drivers who refuse to ferry by meters.”
In the past, there have been instances of autorickshaw unions going on a flash strike, when pressurised to ferry commuters by meter.