As the festive season nears, Pune’s commuters are raising alarm over the unchecked practice of autorickshaws illegally halting outside Metro stations, bus depots, and market hubs, creating chronic traffic blockages. Residents say the problem not only disrupts traffic flow but also undermines public transport connectivity at a time when demand is expected to spike.
Despite the city introducing a share-auto scheme for first and last-mile connectivity across nearly 30 Metro stations in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad, regular users claim the plan is largely ineffective. Many autorickshaw drivers allegedly refuse rides, demand extra fares, or decline to use the meter, forcing passengers, especially senior citizens and office-goers, into long waits and unsafe roadside negotiations. The issue extends beyond the Metro network. At key PMPML and MSRTC bus terminals, unregulated auto halts add to congestion caused by heavy bus movement. Commuters complain that entry and exit points to major depots are frequently blocked, causing delays and safety hazards. According to civic transport observers, such bottlenecks severely undermine the efficiency of public transport systems that the city is trying to promote for its climate and congestion goals.
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Traffic police confirm that enforcement is ongoing, with continuous action taken at major junctions such as Swargate. Yet, commuters report that the situation remains unchanged on the ground. Auto drivers, meanwhile, argue that outdated stand allocations fail to reflect current mobility patterns. They say many sanctioned stands were planned before the Metro era, and that the city must identify and notify new, strategically located stands to address illegal halts sustainably. The Regional Transport Office reports receiving over 250 complaints against auto drivers in just June and July 2025. These include more than 100 cases of ride refusals, 65 of overcharging, and 55 of passenger misbehaviour. Officials say penalties under the Motor Vehicles Act include fines, permit suspensions, and even licence cancellations. Citizens can report offences via a dedicated WhatsApp helpline, but complaints must be backed by photographic proof and vehicle registration details.
Urban mobility experts stress that unchecked auto halts not only cause traffic chaos but also increase fuel wastage and emissions, countering the city’s commitments to sustainable transport and net-zero targets. They recommend a mix of enforcement, infrastructure redesign, and digital fare monitoring to ensure compliance without undermining livelihoods. As Pune braces for the festive season, when road usage peaks, the urgency for coordinated action between the RTO, traffic police, and civic bodies grows sharper. Without immediate interventions, the city risks worsening congestion, increased commuter stress, and setbacks to its eco-friendly transport ambitions.
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Pune commuters demand action on illegal auto halts causing festive traffic chaos
