Soon, regular kaali peelis and autorickshaws might vanish from the premises of Kurla Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT). In a bid to crack a whip on errant drivers, Central Railway is planning to ban metered taxis and autos from the station premises. The authorities have suggested prepaid cabs as an alternative. The proposition came following an inspection of the station premises by CR authorities on April 11. The suggestion was made taking in account of the fact that errant auto and taxi drivers operating at LTT tend to overcharge passengers and the increasing number of incidents where people travelling from Kurla LTT were mugged, abused and raped. The authorities have also suggested starting of prepaid auto services which will be temporarily handled by prepaid taxi operators. Confirming that the CR is mulling to disallow metered autos and taxis at Kurla LTT, a CR official said, "We will introduce a zigzag line arrangement for prepaid taxis and autos so that they do not skip the queue and add to the chaos." Errant drivers will be booked under Section 159 of the Railway Act. However, the prepaid taxi services at Kurla LTT is not fully operational, while the stand lies empty most of the time. Apart from this, the CR authorities have proposed barricading and fencing the stretch between the station building and the old booking office. The area below Santa Cruz–Chembur Link Road towards Tilak Nagar railway station will also be fenced. The fencing work might commence from April 25, said sources. During the inspection, they also found that passengers tend to board trains parked in the yard. "We will close the shutters of emergency windows and fence the area around the yard," said another CR official. To declutter the station, passengers waiting at concourse for boarding general compartment will be asked to wait outside if the train is hours away.. CR CRACKDOWN

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