Mandatory ID cards in autos to be strictly enforced again in Bengaluru
Bengaluru: The Bengaluru Traffic Police have decided to strictly enforce the rule mandating the display of identification cards in autorickshaws, following rising complaints of fare refusal, overcharging and lack of driver identification.
In a recent circular, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Karthik Reddy directed traffic officers to register cases on a daily basis against autorickshaw drivers who fail to display ID cards. Police said the move is aimed at improving public safety measure, The New Indian Express reported on Saturday.
The circular follows repeated complaints from citizens, flagging issues like non-wearing of uniforms, excessive fares, refusal to go on hire and absence of display cards.
The traffic police said the display card helps passengers identify drivers and improves a sense of security, particularly for women commuters.
Karthik Reddy reportedly said that the rule is not new, but is being enforced more rigorously now with women’s safety in mind.
“The display card creates an added layer of accountability. It makes regulation easier and helps passengers feel safer,” Karthik Reddy said. The move will also help curb the operation of autos without valid permits, including those driven by operators from other districts, he said.
Reddy said the latest display cards include QR codes linked to verified driver details on the ASTraM app, which would further strengthen accountability and public confidence. In 2025, Bengaluru Traffic Police booked 4,669 cases for refusal to go on hire and 4,023 cases for demanding excess fares.
But the renewed enforcement brought to the surface long-standing concerns among drivers. Several auto drivers alleged that they are asked to pay for display cards that are meant to be free.
Denying these allegations, Reddy said no fee is being collected. “They asked for money for something that is supposed to be free,” he said. The Autorickshaw Drivers’ Union (ARDU) also echoed the complaint. Its general secretary, D Rudramurthy, said drivers reported being charged amounts ranging from ₹100 to ₹500.
Deepu, an autorickshaw driver, said he stopped renewing his display card after being asked to pay extra. “They asked for money for something that is meant to be free,” he said.
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Trump tells Fox News he's no longer sending Witkoff, Kushner to Pakistan for Iran talks
Islamabad (AP): President Donald Trump says he told top US envoys not to travel to Pakistan to negotiate with Iran, telling Fox News that "they can call us anytime they want.”
In a brief phone interview Saturday, Trump told Fox News that he told US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner “you're not going to be making any more 18 hour flights to sit around talking about nothing.”
Trump also said of the US side “we have all the cards.”
His comments came after the White House said Friday that Witkoff and Kushner would be heading to Pakistan for another round of negotiations with Iran.
