Auto drivers oppose move to increase permits

Kozhikode: The auto drivers in the city are unanimously opposing the move to increase rickshaw permits in the city in a short span of time. At present there are far too many auto rickshaws and too few parking spots, they allege.

The move, they say, will further detriorate their means for an income apart from the challenge they face by the emergence of several alternative modes of transport in recent times.

The city already has 4,335 auto rickshaws and nearly 6,000 drivers in addition to nearly 250 new auto permits that re allotted every year. The State Transport Commissioner has planned a proposal of permitting nearly 10,000 auto rickshaw permits within the city limit alone.

“The city in the present condition has no scope for accommodating more auto permits due to its congested roads and increasing number of private vehicles”, said A.K. Sajeev Kumar, City Auto Section Committee member.

He alleges that auto rickshaws with permits issued for rural areas too are plying in the city limits, and as a result, drivers are struggling to find parking place for their auto rickshaws.

“A comprehensive inquiry should be conducted to track auto rickshaws that are plying through the city without a permit”, Sajeev said. Moreover, narrow roads and lack of parking spots are making the life of drivers miserable, he added

In addition to all these worries, the auto drivers are denied any kind of basic facilities at any of the major auto bays in the city including New Bus stand and the railway station.

K Rasak, newly elected President of CASC said, “A single toilet facility is what we ask Corporation officials for drivers and the demand has been put forward long ago. We have decided to move ahead with our demand to the Corporation Mayorto rectify the issues being faced by thousands of auto drivers in the city," he added.