Commuters in Panvel and Ulwe, Navi Mumbai, have alleged widespread overcharging by autorickshaw drivers who refuse to operate by meter and instead demand flat, arbitrary fares. Passengers claim that short-distance rides are often denied unless they agree to pre-determined rates, as our report states.

A mid-day ground check found a driver charging Rs 50 for a 900-metre ride from Panvel railway station to Pillai College, nearly double the metered fare of about R26. Similar flat-rate demands were observed at auto stands in Ulwe, where meters were not switched on.