Pune, 29 January 2026: The Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO) has issued a strict directive to individuals holding autorickshaw permits while being employed in government, semi-government, private companies, or other organisations. Such permit holders have been asked to immediately surrender their autorickshaw permits, failing which action will be initiated against them under the Motor Vehicles Act.

As per the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, one of the key conditions for issuing an autorickshaw permit is that the applicant must not be engaged in any other form of employment. However, the RTO has found widespread violations of this rule across Pune.

At the time of applying for an autorickshaw permit, applicants submit an affidavit declaring that they are not employed anywhere. Authorities clarified that even if a permit holder secures a job after receiving the permit, it becomes mandatory to surrender the licence.

Those continuing to hold permits despite being employed elsewhere are now being directed to comply immediately.

Officials said the rapid growth in Pune’s population has led to a sharp rise in the number of vehicles. To address the gap between demand and availability of autorickshaws, and also to generate employment, the state transport department began issuing new autorickshaw permits from 2017.

Currently, Pune city has more than 83,000 autorickshaw permits, while Pimpri-Chinchwad has over 40,000 permits. The RTO stated that enforcement will be tightened to ensure permits are held only by eligible individuals, as per the law.