Instead of mending their ways, errant autos are avoiding the rickshaw stand at Andheri station causing far more inconvenience to commuters

As the traffic police continue to crackdown on errant auto rickshaws at Andheri station (East), the autos have devised a strategy to counter the long arm of the law.

On day 7 of MiD DAY's Meter Down campaign, the cunning auto drivers have stopped plying to Andheri station.
Over the past six days, nearly 50 auto drivers have been fined and had their licences confiscated for refusing to ply and for breaking the queue at Andheri station.


No autos in sight: The serpentine queue of commuters waiting at the
rickshaw stand outside Andheri station yesterday. pic/Mahesh Chafeu00a0
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The move may seem to have worked for the errant autos, but in the bargain it is the aam aadmi that has to bear the brunt for the auto drivers' arrogance. Yesterday, commuters had to wait for as long as 45 minutes at the rickshaw stand before they got a ride to their respective destinations.

Commuters speak
Tranil Sawant (27), a software engineer, said, "Usually, it takes 15 minutes for me to get a rickshaw from the stand. However, today, the line was moving very slowly. This happened because there were less rickshaws at the station road."
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According to Jagdeep Singh (28), "Mostly, it takes about 15 mins to get a rickshaw. But today, it took over 45 minutes, and despite that people are still waiting in the queue. I am afraid I will be late for work." Krunal Jivani (29), a salesman, said, "I take an auto from this rickshaw stand every day. However, it never takes this long to get one, like its taking today. The line is moving very slowly as there are very few rickshaws on the road. Moreover, the heat is making the wait unbearable."

Bhavna Sodhi (31), a psychologist, said, "I hope the line moves quickly as I have prior appointments. I do not want to keep my patients waiting."

Place: Outside Andheri Station
Time: 5pm-7pm
Offenders caught: 1