He also said the RTO, with just seven officers, is facing a manpower crunch and needs help from the traffic police to implement the meter system. The RTO is empowered to take action against vehicles and the traffic police is empowered to take action against people. It is therefore necessary for both to work jointly so that action can be taken against illegal ferrying of passengers, flouting of rules and to maintain traffic discipline.

Co-ordinator of the Pimpri-Chinchwad unit of the Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat, Ramesh Sardesai, said the meter fare system will be very beneficial for the public and should be implemented soon. Often, rickshaw drivers are very rude and demand exorbitant rates for short distances.

He supported the RTO and traffic police drive against the erring rickshaw drivers and said that such drives should be conducted every fortnight. "The rickshaws should carry all the requisite documents and not overload. No prior notice is needed for police to take action against them," he said.