Prepaid Auto Booth at Pune Railway Station to Shut Down Soon Amid Rising Threats
Prepaid Auto Booth at Pune Railway Station to Shut Down Soon Amid Rising Threats
Pune: The prepaid auto-rickshaw booth at Pune Railway Station, which provided commission-free services to passengers for the past few months, is set to shut down in the next few days due to increasing threats and harassment by local goons.
Dr Kesha Kshirsagar told Pune Pulse, “The booth, which has served around 28,000 passengers, helped commuters save an estimated ₹1.5 crore from being overcharged by unauthorized auto drivers. However, growing lawlessness at the station has made it difficult to continue operations.”
Rise in Criminal Activities
Incidents of harassment and intimidation at the station have increased significantly, with miscreants fearlessly violating police orders. Even in cases of women’s harassment, the authorities have failed to take strict action, emboldening criminals to threaten complainants openly.
Police Inaction and Driver Safety Concerns
Despite repeated complaints, the local police have not taken concrete action against these disruptive elements. The safety of honest auto drivers, both men and women, operating under government-mandated meter fares, remains at risk due to continuous threats.
As a result, the booth will be shut down in the next 2-3 days, marking the third time Pune Railway Station’s prepaid auto service has been forcibly closed due to criminal intimidation. The Transport Commissioner and Passenger Service Organization had initiated this booth, but it has once again fallen victim to lawlessness at the station.
