151 rickshaw drivers fined for violating traffic rules in Kolhapur

Kolhapur: The city traffic police, along with the Regional Transport Office, has started action against errant autorickshaw drivers and fined 151 of them for various violations.The action came after a rise in complaints of overloading, traffic rules violations, charging arbitrarily, obstructing traffic and not wearing uniforms, among others, against the rickshaw drivers.A sum of Rs 77,000 was collected in fines. The drive against rickshaw drivers, who violate traffic rules, will continue, said officials from the traffic police.Nandkumar More, traffic police inspector, said, "Complaints are rising against rickshaw drivers who have been ferrying in an undisciplined and arbitrary manner. Many rickshaw drivers do not stop at their designated stops. They are stopping haphazardly to pick up and drop passengers. It obstructs traffic movement.""They also violate the one-way lane and charge fares arbitrarily by keeping the meter off. Apart from these complaints, we also received complaints of rude behaviour. Accordingly, a special campaign has been initiated for the last two days to discipline rickshaw traffic," More told TOI.However, rickshaw drivers in Kolhapur city are asked to adhere to the following instructions: they should use a dress code, they should not charge illegal fare, behave in a proper manner with passengers and not obstruct traffic by stopping rickshaws at intersections, etc."It should be noted that action will be taken against rickshaw drivers/owners who do not follow the above instructions or violate the given instructions under the Motor Vehicles Act. The said action campaign will be implemented comprehensively further as well," added More.