Don't call 103 if you're in trouble

MiD DAY called toll free number for 2 hrs yesterday before a cop who was utterly clueless about what was expected of him, picked up the phone

MiD DAY called toll free number for 2 hrs yesterday before a cop who was utterly clueless about what was expected of him, picked up the phone

Here is why it is no point calling 103, the toll free helpline number that citizens are advised to call when they want to lodge a traffic-related complaint.

This reporter called the number yesterday to see if it works and the promptness with which the cops respond to each complaint. Not one of the several calls made by MiD DAY between 4 pm went through.
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Finally at 4.10 pm, the phone was finally picked up by a cop who said he did not know that citizens could call on the number to lodge against autorickshaw drivers who refused fares for whatever reason.
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As most commuters aren not aware of where to register a complaint, the autorickshaw drivers continue to take them on a ride.

"We don't take any complaints. All complaints should be made at the police station," the man said.

Dhruva Ghosh (24), a software engineer from Wipro said, "Autorickshaw drivers often refuse fares but what can one do. It is something routine in Bangalore. Generally, after being refused you feel angry but what can you do?
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I was not aware that there is a number one can call on when one is refused. This is a good initiative but it can only work if people are aware that such a number exists."



Not so important?

While the toll free number has been widely publicised though hoardings at signals and though the police website, it is yet to be embraced by commuters.

ACP Raghuveer said, "We get two to three complaints against auto drivers who refuse fares on a day on 103 help desk, which forwards the complaint to the Traffic Automation Centre where a case is booked and a fine of
Rs 100 is imposed. We need to ensure every one is aware of this toll free number."

Sources in the traffic police said the staff manning the 103 help desk change every three to four days.

"It is because they are moved in and out after such short intervals that they don't take don't take their job seriously.
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The ones that do are on the desk for too short a duration to know what is expected of them. No wonder, something as small as what complaints they should entertain is not known to them."

1 lakh
Estimated number of autorickshaws in Bangaloreu00a0

4
The average number of autorickshaw-related complaints that are lodged in Bangalore every day

2008
The year in which the toll free number 108 was introduced by the city police