Additional Commissioner of Traffic G Sudheer Babu has already asked several Hyderabad-based auto associations to urge drivers to follow rules.
Published Mar 08, 2023 | 9:30 AM ⚊ Updated Mar 08, 2023 | 9:30 AM
a massive chunk of the population uses these shared autos for public transport on daily basis in Hyderabad. (Creative Commons)
The Hyderabad Traffic Police on 7 March, Tuesday, said that it is planning to “restrict” the shared auto-rickshaw in the city.
This comes a day after Additional Commissioner G Sudheer Babu held a meeting with the members of several city-based auto-rickshaw associations.
“The restrictions will be due to the traffic congestion the shared autos cause due to multiple stoppages. This also blocks other vehicles on the road. They also overcrowd and park in unwanted places. Safety of the citizens, which is our priority, is also compromised,” DCP (Traffic) N Ashok Kumar told South First.
A massive chunk of the population uses shared autos for transport on daily basis across Hyderabad.
While they are uncomfortable, with drivers cramming as many as five or even six passengers into an auto-rickshaw, they are a cheap mode of transport over short distances.
With not enough buses on many routes, the shared auto-rickshaws fill a need gap, transporting passengers for distances of 2-3 km for a flat fee of ₹20.
At the meeting, Sudheer Babu urged the auto associations to ask drivers to stick to traffic rules.
These rules include obeying the stop line, avoiding free left obstruction, not stopping in bus stands or in the middle of the road, wearing a uniform, not demanding extra fare or carrying extra passengers, maintaining decent behaviour with passengers, identifying auto stands, and participating in the police-level awareness programmes.
Hyderabad-based auto unions — BRSKV, AITUC, IFTU, BMS, CITU, INTUC, and the City Auto Owners Association — agreed not to allow outside autos and shared autos in the city in order to promote safe and responsible driving practices among auto drivers.
Centre of Indian Trade Union (CITU) member Ajay Babu told South First, “In areas and on roads where there is less traffic, shared autos are not much of a problem.”
However, he added, traffic congestion due to shared autos is an issue on the main roads of Hyderabad.
“Drivers have been asked only to pick up from one spot and drop all the passengers at an already decided destination. Not at multiple stops, which causes trouble to others on the road,” he said.
As per reports, the Hyderabad cops ran a special campaign to catch the auto drivers who violated traffic laws such as driving on the wrong side of the road and driving without proper documents.
