Vashi: As many as 2,142 rickshaw drivers were penalised and fine totalling Rs 3.03 lakh collected by the Navi Mumbai traffic department as part of its efforts to secure the roads in the city and ensure safe driving.

The traffic department had launched a special campaign from May 1 to 23 to check reckless driving by rickshaw drivers.

The traffic department had observed that some rickshaw drivers in the Navi Mumbai area were driving irresponsibly without adhering to traffic regulations. Additionally, many passengers had lodged complaints against such reckless drivers.

Acting on these concerns, a special campaign was conducted across Navi Mumbai in which 16 branches of the traffic police conducted enforcement operations within their respective jurisdictions.

Out of the total cases, 857 rickshaw drivers were penalized for refusing passengers, leading to fines totalling Rs 48,100. Furthermore, 1,285 drivers were fined Rs 55,200 for carrying passengers beyond permitted capacity.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Tirupati Kakade stated that such actions against rule-breaking rickshaw drivers would continue.