{
  "id": 5624557,
  "title": "Maharashtra Launches Crackdown On Scrap And Illegal Autorickshaws Carrying Passengers, Drive To Continue Till October 5",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/maharashtra-launches-crackdown-on-scrap-and-illegal-autorickshaws",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-04T18:31:58.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/maharashtra-launches-crackdown-on-scrap-and-illegal-autorickshaws-carrying-passengers-drive-to-continue-till-october-5"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Maharashtra Transport Department has announced a special crackdown on scrap and illegal autorickshaws that transport passengers. Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has instructed the Motor Vehicle Transport Department to take stringent action against these vehicles and prevent them from returning to the roads. The campaign will run until October 5, and regional transport offices must submit a review of actions taken during the crackdown. The move comes after complaints that some rickshaws were still being used for passenger transport despite being declared scrap. Sarnaik convened a special meeting at the Transport Commissioner’s office to address the issue, with Transport Commissioner Rajesh Narvekar, rickshaw-taxi union leader Shashank Rao, and representatives of rickshaw associations in attendance. Officials were instructed to perform special inspections of vehicles being operated in violation of rules, including those with forged documents. The department has also been tasked with examining cases of reused scrap-declared rickshaws and vehicles carrying passengers without proper safety measures. Regional transport offices across Maharashtra have been directed to conduct the drive effectively within their areas and provide a review of their actions by October 5. Vehicles found in violation will face penalties and appropriate legal action. Passenger safety is the top priority, and no permission will be granted to carry passengers in illegal and dangerous vehicles, as stated by Sarnaik. The crackdown aims to ensure that only authorized and safe rickshaws operate passenger services, preventing unsafe vehicles from continuing to run on the roads. The department’s review will provide insight into the actions taken against such vehicles throughout the state.",
  "summary": "The Maharashtra Transport Department will launch a special drive against scrap-declared and other illegal autorickshaws carrying passengers. Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has directed the Motor Vehicle Transport Department to take strict action against such vehicles and ensure that scrap rickshaws do not return to the roads. The campaign will continue till October 5, with all regional…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}