Rude cabbies, auto drivers? Send an email

Mumbai: Don’t fret if a taxi or autorickshaw driver refuses to give you a ride and you can’t spot anyone in khaki to teach the driver a lesson. You can simply go home or office or the nearest cyber cafe, log yourself online and mail a complaint to the transport commissioner’s e-mail address, tcmaharashtra@yahoo.com.

Transport commissioner Dilip Jadhav, who heads all the regional transport offices (RTO)s, wants the public to directly interact with him and apprise him of the problems they face while hiring a taxi or autorickshaw in Mumbai. The complaints could be about anything: refusal to ply short distance, excess fare charged/tampered meters, fake tariff cards, misconduct by drivers or any other complaint.

“Citizens can send me their complaints over the net. I will mark them to the respective RTOs and ensure that prompt action is taken,’’ Jadhav told TOI. He said the RTOs had the manual system of receiving written complaints by post. “At present, one can send a complaint on a postcard by mentioning the offence of the driver, the vehicle registration number and the place/date/time of offence. But now, with almost everybody having access to computer, complaints can be sent over the internet,’’ he said. “I have given out my email id so that the common man does not have to run from pillar to post. However, complainants should be specific about their grievances and should provide us with all the details of an incident.’’

Jadhav, who took charge as the transport commissioner four months ago, is keen on modernising the transport department. One of his first projects is the setting up of a high-tech control room, which provides 24-hour helpline for taxi and autorickshaw commuters. “I have already sent a proposal to the state government to sanction funds for the control room. We will train our staff to handle complaints and help commuters in distress round-the-clock,’’ he
stated. The department is also discussing with MTNL for a toll-free number.

The department has another email address where commuters can send their complaints. The address—transportgrievance@mahatranscom.in—is being accessed by a dedicated emplyee, who co-ordinates with the RTO offices across the city. “We welcome the transport commissioner’s decision to have a personalised email for redressing public grievances,’’ said civic activist Krishnaraj Rao.