Cops slap fine, autos fall in line in Mira Road-Virar

A traffic policeman fines an errant auto driver in Vasai. Pics/Hanif Patel

The traffic police in Mira Road, Bhayandar, Vasai, Nalasopara and Virar have collectively recovered Rs 2.21 crore in fines from autorickshaw drivers for a host of road safety violations last year. Officials said their efforts have brought in better road discipline in the area. The errant auto drivers were penalised for infractions like carrying excess passengers, jumping signals, wrong side driving and not wearing the uniform. Officials said on-the-spot fines formed a big chunk of the amount, while many challans have remained unpaid.

Dadaram Karande, the senior inspector of Virar traffic division, said over 2,600 auto drivers were issued challans last year. "Most of the autorickshaw drivers were not wearing their uniform and badge while ferrying passengers in Virar; for which over 5,000 drivers have been penalised," said Karande, who has also been given charge of Vasai traffic division. "In Vasai, we have penalised over 5,700 drivers for not wearing uniform and badge," he said. Most drivers have now fallen in line, said the officer.

The Traffic Department takes action against two-wheelers parked in crowded spots in Vasai

The traffic cops went into overdrive to crack down on overloaded autos in Vasai and Virar. "We saw many autorickshaw drivers carrying more than specified number of passengers. They would allow two additional passengers on the front seat. We have issued 4,279 challans in Virar and 5,000 challans in Vasai against them," Karande said. In Virar, cops issued a total of 26,795 challans and collected a fine of Rs 77.37 lakh last year. They handed 33,198 challans to autowallahs in Vasai who coughed up Rs 1.04 crore.

The in-charge of Kashimira traffic division, Ramesh Bhame, said that over 27,000 auto drivers were issued challans for flouting rules in Mira Road, Bhayandar, Uttan, and up to the Versova bridge. "We have collected over Rs 40 lakh fine only from autorickshaw drivers last year. Our drive against autorickshaw menace is underway," Bhame told mid-day.

Besides action against autorickshaw drivers, the traffic cops have launched a crackdown on reckless motorists and bikers in the newly formed MBVV police commissionerate. Its spokesperson Balram Palkar said over Rs 3.97 crore amount has been recovered from traffic violators, including auto drivers. "However, over Rs 7.48 crore is yet to be recovered from the traffic violators," said Palkar. Several car and two-wheelers users have also been penalised over noisy silencers and fancy number plates. Karande said, "Many never check if any challans are pending against them…so, most of them are shocked when we show them the pending challans issued to them."

The officer urged citizens to download the MahaTrafficapp on their smartphones to check if any challans have been issued against their names. "They can also use the app to report grievances or incidents of traffic violations. The traffic division concerned will immediately be activated to resolve the issue at the earliest possible time," Karande said. The officer added, "There is an urgent requirement for educating the youth about the traffic rules so that they don't become violators. So using the app, people can educate their children about traffic signboards, road safety, etc."

27,000
No. of auto drivers fined by Kashimira traffic division