Mumbai Rickshawmen's Union led by Thampi Kurien, which sent the letter, stated that it also wants additional auto stands all over western and eastern Suburbs.
An autorickshaw union has written to the traffic as well as transport department, highlighting that out of 707 recognised autorickshaw stands in Mumbai, only 10% are still standing. It has demanded that all be reinstalled to curb not only passengers' increasing complaints of fare refusal but also auto drivers getting fined for no-parking offences.
Mumbai Rickshawmen's Union led by Thampi Kurien, which sent the letter, stated that it also wants additional auto stands all over western and eastern Suburbs.
"A majority of the auto stands from the 707 were removed during road repairs or some other works and were never put up again, leaving very few places — railway stations or some other areas — with an auto stand. Not just drivers, we have raised the demand for passengers' benefit too as they can't be refused a ride at a stand," said Kurien, adding that all unions were receiving instruction from both traffic and transport departments that the number of fare refusals in the city was increasing.
Kurien added that they have also requested the joint commissioner of police (traffic) and transport commissioner to prepare a booklet that will list all the auto stands in Mumbai. "So, even if a stand is removed for any work, the drivers can queue up at the location and not be randomly fined for violating the no-parking rule by traffic policemen," he said.
Raising the demand for additional auto stands, another union member said that currently there are around 1.06 lakh autorickshaws plying in the city. "Even if all 707 stands are reinstalled, a total of only 2,780 autorickshaws will get accommodated. We want more auto stands to be installed so that a total of at least 30,000 of these vehicles can find space," said the union leader.
Malad resident Paresh Tank said several stands in his area have disappeared in the past few years. "When auto stands were there, drivers would line up and ply without any drama. But now there aren't many, they just refuse to go shorter distances. The transport department should ensure that stands are set up at major locations in every area."
A senior traffic officer confirmed the problem and said, "We get about five to seven complaints daily about fare refusal and are asking our staff to take action against those refusing to ply. Auto stands are definitely a solution, but several areas are encroached on by hawkers. Nonetheless, we will coordinate with the transport department as well as the BMC to see how we can bring back the stands that have been removed," said the officer.
Why is an auto stand important
Autorickshaw stands are marked by yellow poles with plaques that specify the total number of the three-wheelers that can queue up to pick up passengers. A driver, as per rules, can't refuse to ply when his auto is parked at an auto stand.
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