PUNE: The members of local Auto-Rickshaw Union have complained to Regional Transport Office (RTO) regarding the ongoing corruption during issuance of fitness certificates to vehicles. The members have claimed that if drivers are ready to gobble up Rs 1,000, only then they are able to obtain these certificates in a single visit to the passing track. The Union further claimed that if auto drivers do not take help from the agents, then they are compelled to waste many working days, which means losing business for the days they spend getting this certificate. ”

As the auto-rickshaw passing track is located outside the city at Moshi in Pimpri Chinchwad and Zende Wadi in Purandar taluka, the rickshaw drivers have to travel almost 45 km.

Babasaheb Ajari, Regional Transport Officer, said, “”In around six months, a new machine will be introduced to check the fitness of the vehicles, which will also further ease the process of fitness passing. Whereas, we will look into the matter of involvement of agents in the procedure.”” 

Ashok Salekar, President of the city-based auto-rickshaw union said, “Most of the time, the rickshaw drivers, who have gone for obtaining fitness certificate at Moshi, have been asked to go to Zendewadi for obtaining the certificate.” Salekar said that even after spending two hours travelling from Moshi to Zendewadi, there is no guarantee that this certificate will be issued on that day.

He further added, “The RTO issues certificates to around 300 vehicles daily, out of which 85 vehicles are auto rickshaws. If 85 vehicle quota is available for autos every day, then maximum of 25,000 to 30,000 certificates can be issued in a year. However, there are around 50,000 to 60,000 rickshaws in the city. Considering this, it means half the auto-rickshaws will not get fitness certificates in the same year.””