Udupi: “Charge fixed rates during the wee hours,” said Annamalai K, District Superintendent of Police. He was speaking at an interactive session with auto drivers organized by the district police and RTO Udupi at a lecture hall in Manipal University here, on May 20.
The Suraksha application launched for the public to file complaints and to access information has been receiving on an average 10 complaints per month about auto drivers. Complaints include rude behavior, fleecing passengers and group intervention. The auto union should come up with a fixed rate during the wee hours. Fleecing students during pickups from railway stations in Manipal has also been reported.
Auto drivers, being the backbone of the transport system, should change their behavior towards customers. Communication is the primary factor in the transport system since tourists interact more with auto drivers to gather information about the city. Complaints received on the Suraksha application are forwarded to the concerned police officers and RTO to initiate action, he added.
Narayan Sabhahit, Registrar of Manipal University, inaugurating the programme said that auto drivers have to deal with people of distinct nature, and hence patience and effective communication are very important, he added.
Girish, PI of Manipal Police Station, welcomed the gathering. Councillor Ramesh Kanchan delivered the vote of thanks. Jai Vittal, Estate Officer of Manipal University, compered the programme.
Senior Inspector RTO Vishwanath Naik, Clinical Psychologist Dr Sahana and others were present.