The Pune police traffic branch will reintroduce prepaid autorickshaw services at the Pune railway station after it shut over a year ago.
“A meeting of officials from the traffic branch, regional transport office, Central Railways and Pune railway police and 23 autorickshaw union leaders was held on Tuesday to deliberate on the issue. A committee, including officials and five members of autorickshaw unions, will be set up for coordinated implementation of the project,” deputy commissioner of police (traffic) Vijaykumar Magar told TOI on Wednesday.
The leaders of auto unions have been told to take individual or joint initiatives to design an app to book prepaid autos. “We will create awareness among commuters to avail the facility once the system becomes functional by August 15,” he added.
Plans are also afoot to launch prepaid auto facilities at Swargate, Wakdewadi and Kharadi bus stands.
“The Pune railway division is keen to operate prepaid auto booths at the station and will provide necessary assistance,” Ramdas Bhise, Pune division, divisional commercial manager and public relations officer, said.
Meanwhile, the police have started checking cabs and auto rickshaws at the Pune railway station and Swargate bus terminus to ensure safety of women travelling at night. Additional commissioner of police (east region) Pravin Patil said, “We took the initiative to ensure drivers are not drunk. We plan to introduce a similar initiative at the Shivajinagar railway station and bus terminus and Katraj bus stand.”
Sub-inspector Rajashri Patil said, “We jot down the name, address and cellphone number of women travelling in cabs and autorickshaws. We also note down the name, address and cellphone number of the cab and autorickshaw drivers, check their badge, uniform, driving license and click their photographs.”
“The women are told to call the police number and inform us after reaching the destination. In case we do not receive a call, police officials call the passenger to check whether she has reached safely,” Patil added.
