Are you joining the thousands who will give taxis and autorickshaws a cold shoulder today? Pat yourself on the back. The government has already taken note of your protest against errant cabbies and autowallahs. The Democratic Front has called for a meeting today to launch a crackdown on drivers who refuse fares on some routes or use faulty meters. On Wednesday, when he heard about the unique commuters’ agitation and realised the extent of unrest among Mumbaikars on the issue, Home Minister R R Patil decided to get moving on the issue. He has called for a meeting with the State Transport Department and Traffic Police at Mantralaya today. Sources say that the government will decide on a joint operation against the drivers of taxi and rickshaw on the wrong side of the law. Sources say that the state is likely to start a drive entailing surprise checks of vehicle metres. It may zero in on the areas and time of day when such instances are frequent and swoop down on the guilty drivers.The Meter Jam campaign, initiated by advertising professionals Rachana Brar, Jaidev Rupani and Abhilash Krishnan, has swelled in numbers and many people are expected to avenge themselves against the tyranny of cabbies and autowallahs today. The state meeting will be attended by senior officials of the Transport and the Home Department, senior officers of the State Transport Commissionerate and Joint CP (Traffic) Vivek Phansalkar. Transport Secretary C S Sangitrao said his department had taken serious note of complaints by harassed citizens. He said people had been coming forward in large numbers to register complaints against taxi and rickshaw drivers who harass them on the toll free number (1800220110). Sangitrao added that the RTO takes serious cognizance of such complaints and acts on them within 48 hours.
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