"We try to take instant action against the auto rickshaw drivers who violates the rules when commuters call the traffic complaint hotline with the registration number of a vehicle," he said.

But, he added that the process is time consuming. When the centre receives a complaint the on duty police sergeant of the area is asked to trace the complainer and the CNG auto rickshaw driver.

"It takes almost half an hour to reach the spot. As a result we find neither the complainer nor the auto rickshaw driver. All our effort goes in vain," he explained.

"As a result most commuters refrain from complaining," he added.

General complaints received are against CNG run vehicles that demand higher fares or fares fixed by the driver. Drivers refuse to budge from their demands and will ply distances only suitable to them and not to the commuter.

A few years back the number of complaints received a day was around 100, which has now reduced by 75 to 80 percent.

When the police control room receives the registration number of the vehicle in question, a case is filed against the vehicle and in most cases, the driver goes scot-free as the police track the owner of the vehicle, who in turn has to pay the fines for the mishap caused by the driver.

Ensuring genuine licences and on-the spot fines can help to reduce the problem said another DMP official. But with certain dishonest sergeants, even such methods cannot be implemented.

Shortcomings of the traffic department encourage CNG drivers to be arrogant in compelling commuters to pay Tk 10 to Tk 20 more than metered fare and at times fixed fares for trips on grounds that drivers have to pay high daily rents to the vehicle owners. Another excuse is that the metres are out of order.

"It is not possible to pay high fare for daily travel," said Anjuman Ara, a service holder adding that she commutes regularly in auto rickshaws.

Other commuters too, allege that CNG auto rickshaw drivers are openly violating the communication ministry directive, refusing short trips and nearly always demanding a premium over a metered fare.

"If this is the rule, why doesn't the traffic department take immediate action against CNG owners and drivers? Waiting for any complaints will not solve the problem," said Mustafizur Rahman, another regular commuter.

"We don't have the time to make complaints, instead we look for another vehicle to take us to our destination," he added.

Most auto rickshaw drivers refuse to carry passengers with no reason.

In January 2002 the Ministry of Communication detailed a fare chart for taxicabs and CNG-run three wheelers.

The ministry fixed Tk 350 as daily deposit for every CNG-run auto rickshaw, but drivers complain that owners charge between Tk 550 and Tk 600.

Imam Uddin, owner of 12 CNG auto rickshaws said that maintenance costs, garage charges and other investment on a vehicle has increased in comparison with previous years. He said the Tk 350 did not cover up these costs.

But auto rickshaw drivers said owners increased the daily deposit of such vehicles in view of the high demand for such modes of transport.

"It is true that driving CNG run auto rickshaws is more profitable than driving other vehicles," said Iddris Ali, an auto-rickshaw driver. "So owners of these vehicles almost doubled their daily deposit, leading drivers to follow unfair means," he added.

Another CNG run auto rickshaw owner attributed the increase to the increase in purchase price of such vehicles.

"Few years back the price of a CNG run auto rickshaw was Tk 80,000 but today it is Tk four lakh," he said. "Why shouldn't I increase the daily deposit," he asked.

"Our duty is to receive complaints and to take action against the CNG auto rickshaw drivers," said Johurul Haque Khan, traffic inspector-1. He did not want to comment on whether or not it was the right way of reducing harassment of the commuters.

"Taxis are bound to carry passengers by the metre according to the rule," said Firoz-al-Muzahid Khan, deputy commissioner (DC) Dhaka traffic (north) DMP. "What we could do is issue warnings to the drivers and reject the route permit," he added.