Overloading, Fare Refusal: Pune Traffic Police Book Hundreds of Autorickshaw Drivers in Swargate
Swargate, 14th March 2026: The Pune City Traffic Branch conducted a special enforcement drive against autorickshaw drivers violating transport rules in the Swargate area, taking action against illegal passenger transport, overloading, fare refusal, lack of uniform, and obstruction to traffic.
The operation was carried out by the Swargate Traffic Division at key locations including Jedhe Chowk, the Swargate Bus Stand (in-gate and out-gate), and outside the MahaMetro station at Swargate.
During the drive conducted on March 10, the traffic police took action against 146 autorickshaws. Of these, 111 cases were registered for carrying excess passengers, while 32 cases involved drivers refusing passengers. Three faulty rickshaws were seized during the operation.
A joint enforcement drive was conducted again on March 12 by the Swargate Traffic Division along with the Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO). During this operation, the traffic police registered 186 cases. These included 92 cases of overloading, 21 cases of fare refusal, 48 cases of drivers not wearing the prescribed uniform, and 18 cases of causing obstruction to traffic. Seven faulty rickshaws were seized during the action.
In addition, the Pune RTO registered 43 cases during the joint operation.
Overall, a total of 375 cases were registered during the combined enforcement drive by the Swargate Traffic Division and Pune RTO.
The action was carried out under the guidance of the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Pune City. The operation was led by Assistant Police Inspector Shobha Kshirsagar, in-charge of the Swargate Traffic Division, along with her team.
The Pune City Traffic Branch stated that such special enforcement drives will continue in the future to prevent inconvenience to passengers and to maintain traffic discipline in the city. Autorickshaw drivers have been urged to strictly follow traffic rules and regulations.
