Cases were slapped on over 100 autorickshaw operators in a massive drive conducted by the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD), led by District Collector K. Mohammed Y. Safirulla, across the city on Tuesday night.
The MVD deployed ten squads across the city in the drive that lasted for six hours between 6 p.m. and 12 midnight.
Cases were registered against 67 operators for plying without meter and 36 operators for driving without licence. Another 24 autorickshaws were seized for operating without paying tax while 13 autorickshaws were seized for plying without fitness certificates.
The overnight drive was conducted in the wake of widespread complaints about the unruly behaviour of autorickshaw operators, and charging exorbitant fares.
Apart from autorickshaws, cases were slapped on 68 other vehicle operators on a variety of charges including use of unauthorised lights. Fine to the tune of ₹1.14 lakh was also collected.
Around 40 MVD officials, including Deputy Transport Commissioner K.G. Samuel, Ernakulam Regional Transport Officer P.H. Sadik Ali, and RTO (Enforcement) M. Suresh, took part in the drive.
