Auto-rickshaw drivers need to be disciplined

BHUBANESWAR: Notwithstanding the traffic norms, reckless driving and wayward parking by 17,000 auto-rickshaw drivers in the city continue unabated. The commuters are the worst sufferers, as errant auto drivers park their vehicles at random spots to pick up or drop passengers which often results in minor accidents.  Even after the issue of guidelines, imposition of heavy fines and awareness programmes like auto parliaments by the Bhubaneswar Commissionerate Police, the drivers do not seem to care. Bending rules and causing trouble to passengers and commuters, most of the auto-rickshaws are driven dangerously. Coupled with competition from fellow auto drivers, the three-wheelers have become a menace. The drivers function under two different associations - Bhubaneswar Autorickshaw Mahasangha and Rajadhani Autorickshaw Mahasangha. The Commissonerate police had framed guidelines under the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack police Commissionerate (traffic and public order) regulations, 2008, according to which, auto drivers were instructed not to stop their vehicles in the middle of the road or on traffic squares failing which, they would have to pay a fine of ` 500 to `1,000. This apart, they are to keep to the extreme left of the road and not to ply in the middle causing inconvenience to the public. The regulation also instructed drivers to pick up and drop passengers only at places identified by traffic police. These norms, however, are observed more in breach. “With the city bursting at its seams, autos have emerged as a vital cog in the city’s transport wheel. But that does not mean that they would act as if traffic rules do not apply to them. The Transport Department must not go on increasing the number of autos,” says Bimal Sahoo, a regular commuter on the Rajmahal route. Commissionerate Police too admit to have been receiving a number of complaints against auto drivers.   ACP (Traffic) Nirmal Satpathy said the city already has the maximum number of autos. “There are 17,000 already and we don’t need more auto-rickshaws in the city. Complaints also keep flowing on the impolite behaviour of some drivers,” said the officer. He said 2,000 auto drivers were fined in the last one year for violation of traffic norms. On the other hand, the transport officials said licences are issued as per the State Government rules.