Hyderabad: Autos block railway station roads

HYDERABAD: Whether you are at the entrance or exit of Secunderabad or Nampally railway stations or at any of the bus terminus or stops, you will many a time find them clogged with auto rickshaws. Even the shrill whistle of traffic policemen does not make them give way to other traffic or passengers, who are already struggling with their luggage at railway or bus stations.

Hemanth Kumar, who is a frequent traveller, said, “Because of autorickshaw drivers blocking the road, it takes us five to 10 minutes more to reach the station. Even though cops on duty try to do their best, auto drivers are adamant in removing their vehicles. They keep looking for passengers despite knowing that they are causing a nuisance,” he remarked.

Autos are quite often a menace; particularly when they are empty and their drivers are looking for passengers. They suddenly cut across the road, oblivious of the risk that they pose to other road users. At times, they are not bothered even if there is a bus or lorry behind them.

Laxmi P. says, “Auto drivers cause a lot of inconvenience to other people who are using the road. Police or authorities concerned should do something about it, so that we can get a way that is clear. Auto drivers may stop bothering other road users if they are heavily fined by traffic police,” she feels.

When contacted, a senior police official said, “We are aware of the situation. If we find an auto parked at the entrance of a railway station, we take its photograph and send a challan of `135. But we can’t do much if the autos are slowly crawling at the main entrances looking for passengers. The roads, even though they are broad, still get clogged at the railway stations because of this.”

He further disclosed: “If the engine is on and the autorickshaw is moving, we have no authority to challan them. Many auto drivers take advantage of this loophole. However, we keep getting in touch with auto drivers and educate them about passenger safety and the nuisance they cause when they block traffic.”

The officer observed that the menace of auto drivers may be checked by bringing in the new tariff of challans, wherein, if an auto is parked near railway stations or bus stands, they can be fined `500. This could deter the auto drivers, he felt.