In 2016, I had to go to the Sangamwadi bus stand to collect a package for my wife. Luckily I had just come back from a work trip so I asked my colleague to drop me there on the way. I told him I'll take a cab after collecting the package. I collected it and booked an Uber. Whilst I was waiting for the cab, I was accosted by 3-4 rickshaw drivers who started inquiring where I wanted to go. I told them I am waiting for my cab. Upon hearing this they became aggressive and started asking me how I could book a cab as they don't "allow" it. One of them told me to cancel it and take his rickshaw and pay him the same amount as the cab. I refused and waited for the cab.
The cab came eventually but stopped a fair distance away. I walked over to it and the poor driver was very nervous. He asked me to get inside quickly and told me that if anyone asks I should tell that this is a private cab and not an Uber. He said the rickshaw drivers become violent and damage cabs in this area. He said this is a common problem prevalent since a long time. I reached home and didn't do anything except talk about it with family and friends.
In March this year, my cousin asked me to book a cab for her from Sangamwadi bus stand to her house. She was coming to Pune by bus. I was in office and didn't recollect my earlier incident. She faced an even more harrowing time. Again, the cab waited for a her a bit away from the bus stand. A rickshaw driver told her he won't allow her to board the cab. As she went towards the cab, he followed her and told the driver that if he doesn't leave immediately, he will "break his head". The cab driver still went ahead and waited for her but the rickshaw driver continued following her and didn't allow her to board the cab. She bravely stood up to him and told him that she will lodge a complaint against him to which he told her he's not scared.
She searched online and found these 2 numbers to call on: 020-26058090 & 020-26057414. She called one of them and was told to submit a written complaint via email or post. She chose the email option (not surprisingly) and gave a detailed account with rickshaw number to mh12@mahatranscom.in. A few days later she got a call from the Pune RTO asking her to come and give her statement. My brother and I accompanied her to the RTO. All of us were skeptical as to what will transpire. After 20 minutes of waiting (since it was break time), we were taken to see Mr. Gaikwad in his cabin. He heard her completely, checked with his junior as to what all has been done and asked her to identify the rickshaw driver. We said we didn't want to meet him as we wanted to avoid confrontation as far as possible. He then took us to a very senior officer, Mr. Raut. Mr. Raut also patiently heard what we had to say. He told Mr. Gaikwad that we didn't need to come to the station as we had given the statement on email. Any identification that needs to be done can happen over WhatsApp or Email. He assured us that they will meet both the rickshaw driver and the owner and decide what action needs to be taken.
The next day, my cousin and I were sent photos for identification and 2 days later I got a call from Mr. Gaikwad. He said they discovered the rickshaw driver was driving without a license. They fined him and the owner Rs.5,500/- for both offenses. He also sent me a receipt of the fine which they had paid. We were amazed at the speed and efficiency of the RTO and its officers.
While I was happy that the rickshaw driver was punished and that this might set a good example, I wanted to follow up on the larger issue at Sangamwadi. My colleague told me that he has got very good response from the website Aaple Sarkar. I submitted the generic complaint of rickshaw drivers at Sangamwadi Bus Stand not allowing commuters to board cabs. Within 4 days I got a call from an inspector at Laxminagar Police Chowky, Yerwada. I was asked to come to the police station to give my statement. I went there the next day and an extremely helpful inspector took my statement in detail. He assured me that they will go that evening itself and give a notice to the rickshaw drivers. He said some other people had complained earlier about this too and this behavior should not be tolerated. He said the best way is to call 100 for any urgent action or contact the police station or complain online if you face the problem again.
I was pleasantly surprised in both these cases at the efficiency and helpfulness of the RTO and Police. Kudos to them for their quick action. I have realized that we should always complain in the right channels about any injustice which happens rather than just cribbing about things at the dinner table. We have a lot of online grievance portals available which we can make us of. If the complaint is not registered, the state cannot take action.
I would urge everyone reading this to give me feedback on their experience at Sangamwadi bus stand. I will follow up with the police in case this problem is still present.
Also, here is a short list of grievance portals:-
1. Complaint against rickshaw drivers - Send email to mh12@mahatranscom.in OR call on 020-26058090 or 020-26057414
2. Aaple Sarkar - Can be used throughout Maharashtra. Very effective.
3. PMC Grievance Management System - I have got very good responses here.
4. Pune Police Facebook Page - I have got mixed responses here but worth a try.
The cab came eventually but stopped a fair distance away. I walked over to it and the poor driver was very nervous. He asked me to get inside quickly and told me that if anyone asks I should tell that this is a private cab and not an Uber. He said the rickshaw drivers become violent and damage cabs in this area. He said this is a common problem prevalent since a long time. I reached home and didn't do anything except talk about it with family and friends.
In March this year, my cousin asked me to book a cab for her from Sangamwadi bus stand to her house. She was coming to Pune by bus. I was in office and didn't recollect my earlier incident. She faced an even more harrowing time. Again, the cab waited for a her a bit away from the bus stand. A rickshaw driver told her he won't allow her to board the cab. As she went towards the cab, he followed her and told the driver that if he doesn't leave immediately, he will "break his head". The cab driver still went ahead and waited for her but the rickshaw driver continued following her and didn't allow her to board the cab. She bravely stood up to him and told him that she will lodge a complaint against him to which he told her he's not scared.
She searched online and found these 2 numbers to call on: 020-26058090 & 020-26057414. She called one of them and was told to submit a written complaint via email or post. She chose the email option (not surprisingly) and gave a detailed account with rickshaw number to mh12@mahatranscom.in. A few days later she got a call from the Pune RTO asking her to come and give her statement. My brother and I accompanied her to the RTO. All of us were skeptical as to what will transpire. After 20 minutes of waiting (since it was break time), we were taken to see Mr. Gaikwad in his cabin. He heard her completely, checked with his junior as to what all has been done and asked her to identify the rickshaw driver. We said we didn't want to meet him as we wanted to avoid confrontation as far as possible. He then took us to a very senior officer, Mr. Raut. Mr. Raut also patiently heard what we had to say. He told Mr. Gaikwad that we didn't need to come to the station as we had given the statement on email. Any identification that needs to be done can happen over WhatsApp or Email. He assured us that they will meet both the rickshaw driver and the owner and decide what action needs to be taken.
The next day, my cousin and I were sent photos for identification and 2 days later I got a call from Mr. Gaikwad. He said they discovered the rickshaw driver was driving without a license. They fined him and the owner Rs.5,500/- for both offenses. He also sent me a receipt of the fine which they had paid. We were amazed at the speed and efficiency of the RTO and its officers.
While I was happy that the rickshaw driver was punished and that this might set a good example, I wanted to follow up on the larger issue at Sangamwadi. My colleague told me that he has got very good response from the website Aaple Sarkar. I submitted the generic complaint of rickshaw drivers at Sangamwadi Bus Stand not allowing commuters to board cabs. Within 4 days I got a call from an inspector at Laxminagar Police Chowky, Yerwada. I was asked to come to the police station to give my statement. I went there the next day and an extremely helpful inspector took my statement in detail. He assured me that they will go that evening itself and give a notice to the rickshaw drivers. He said some other people had complained earlier about this too and this behavior should not be tolerated. He said the best way is to call 100 for any urgent action or contact the police station or complain online if you face the problem again.
I was pleasantly surprised in both these cases at the efficiency and helpfulness of the RTO and Police. Kudos to them for their quick action. I have realized that we should always complain in the right channels about any injustice which happens rather than just cribbing about things at the dinner table. We have a lot of online grievance portals available which we can make us of. If the complaint is not registered, the state cannot take action.
I would urge everyone reading this to give me feedback on their experience at Sangamwadi bus stand. I will follow up with the police in case this problem is still present.
Also, here is a short list of grievance portals:-
1. Complaint against rickshaw drivers - Send email to mh12@mahatranscom.in OR call on 020-26058090 or 020-26057414
2. Aaple Sarkar - Can be used throughout Maharashtra. Very effective.
3. PMC Grievance Management System - I have got very good responses here.
4. Pune Police Facebook Page - I have got mixed responses here but worth a try.
