The notification stated this will be one of the prerequisites for granting planning permission for all new hotels and lodges.
Published Jul 05, 2023 | 1:47 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 05, 2023 | 1:47 PM
On 21 June, Irai Anbu wrote a letter to the Housing and Urban Development Department Secretary stating the plight of drivers who undertake long journeys. (Creative Commons)
In a move that will allow chauffeurs and cab drivers who travel overnight to get proper rest, the Tamil Nadu government has made it mandatory for all hotels and lodges in the state to provide exclusive accommodation to them — with toilet facilities.
The initiative — the first of its kind in the country — has been lauded by chauffeurs and cab drivers.
On 28 June, the Housing and Urban Development Department amended the Tamil Nadu Combined Development and Building Rules 2019, stating, “In cases of hotels and lodges, a dormitory with 1 (one) bed space (with moving area around the bed) for each car parking space is required for the guest rooms in such hotels/lodges, along with 1 (one) separate toilet and 1 (one) separate bathroom for every 8 (eight) beds or part thereof attached to the dormitory shall be provided exclusively to provide accommodation to the drivers of the guests. The dormitory may be provided either within the premises of the hotel or lodge, or within a distance of 250 metres radius of the premises.”
The notification also stated that this will be one of the prerequisites for granting planning permission for all newly-built hotels and lodges.
While speaking with officials of the Housing and Urban Development Department, South First learnt that V Irai Anbu IAS, former chief secretary of Tamil Nadu who retired from service recently, took the initiative to ensure that such an order was passed.
On 21 June, Irai Anbu wrote a letter, accessed by South First, to the secretary of the Housing and Urban Development Department, Apoorva, mentioning the plight of cab drivers and personal drivers who undertake long journeys by road.
Former Chief Secretary V Irai Anbu. (Sourced)
In the letter, Anbu stated that modern-day work pressure makes people want to get away from home and enjoy a quick trip.
“As many trips are performed in such an ad hoc manner, people prefer to travel by their personal vehicles, engaging a chauffeur. However, in the hotel premises and lodges, they alone embark themselves in comfortable rooms, leaving the drivers in the lurch,” stated Anbu.
“The chauffeurs either sleep in the verandas or in the car itself, which may lead to asphyxiation or other inconveniences. They do not get proper sleep and, as a result, many accidents occur due to a lack of awareness and alertness. Therefore, providing dormitories in all hotels and lodges for drivers should be made mandatory and a reasonable sum could be collected for them to use the facilities there,” he stated.
Further, he requested Apoorva to initiate proceedings facilitating the drivers and that would be a welcome move by all concerned with road safety and the welfare of the drivers.
Speaking to South First, Anbu said that while he was a Secretary in the Tourism Department, he took the initiative to provide accommodation to drivers in the dormitories maintained by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC). But it could not be implemented systematically at that time.
“They are driving in all weather and they rest and sleep in sultry conditions inside the car. This gave me a feeling of inhumane treatment. The next day, when they drive without proper sleep, there is a possibility of accidents. I wrote a letter to the Housing Department Secretary to process this. Whether it happens or not, I just wanted to sow a seed. However, Department Secretary Apoorva processed it very fast,” Anbu said.
He added that this was not only for the safety of the drivers, but the safety of the passengers as well.
Speaking to South First, Tamil Nadu Tourist Cab Association Secretary T Senthamilselvan said that medium and business-class hotels in major tourist towns and cities used to provide accommodation facilities to the guest’s cab drivers, but it is often a common room.
“There will be a single cot and all the drivers will have to share that room with common toilet facilities,” he said.
He added, “In some hotels, they used to charge half the cost of the room booked by the guest. In some places, they would ask us to sleep in the rooms provided to their employees. Now, this Government Order will facilitate proper rest for drivers.”
Senthamilselvan said that these drivers typically earn around ₹1,500 to ₹3,000, including the “baata” for a long day trip, based on the kilometres they drive.
“With that money, they can’t afford a room in the dormitories. If the guest pays for the driver’s accommodation, they will deduct it from the rental charges. It’s another reason they sleep in the vehicle,” he added.
V Subburaj, an acting driver who hails from Madurai, said that this will definitely help in reducing road accidents. “We drive a minimum of 200 kilometres and, sometimes, even more than that. We carry guests and children. If the travel exceeds more than a day, we need proper sleep for the next day’s trip,” he said.
“Earlier, we used to sleep in the car. If we are making trips to hill stations or sea shores, normally the guests would plan for an early morning sightseeing in the area. At that time, we are bound to the planning of the guests who book the cab. We sleep for three to four hours and there won’t be a proper sleep,” he said.
He added, “I have experienced guests who book cabs and don’t even bother about the accommodation of the cab drivers. When the hotels lack proper parking facilities, then it is worse. Now, I hope these problems will be sorted out and the hotels will follow it.”
D Chandramouli, a resort owner who owns properties in Nilgiris and Kodaikanal, welcomed the government’s move.
“Normally, we provide accommodation to the cab drivers. But during season time, it is difficult because of a lot of tourist movement. The existing properties will find difficulty in allocating a separate toilet and a separate bathroom for every eight beds,” he noted.
“However, we realise that drivers play an important role in influencing the guests about the facilities of hotels and lodges. We too welcome the move of the government and most of the associations have instructed their members to adhere to the Government Order,” he said
