Hyderabad: Autorickshaw unions are not happy with the police’s move to get their vehicles registered under the “My Auto is Safe” initiative and are planning a protest on Tuesday.
Just 11,000 of around one lakh autorickshaws in the city are registered. The police feel that once registered, passengers will feel safe travelling in them and crime rate too will come down. A lot of traffic violations by drivers can also be controlled.
“I hailed an autorickshaw from Malakpet railway station to Akbar Towers Imtiyaz Hospital,” said Khalid from the Old City area. “At first he asked for Rs 20, but after a patient who was with us boarded, the driver demanded Rs 40 and began arguing with us.” Rokkam Kumar, another commuter, said: “The authorities should seize autos of erring drivers and release it against payment of heavy penalty in court.”
“There are around one lakh autorickshaws plying in the city and 11,000 of them have registered with us,” deputy commissioner of police traffic-1, L.S. Chauhan, said. “According to the Motor Vehicles Act 269, it is compulsory for an autorickshaw diver to get registered with the traffic police. A digitised board will be installed between the driver and the passenger’s seat. A QR code will be provided on the board so that passengers can easily scan it and get details of the auto driver.” C. Anand Rao, an auto driver, said: “‘My Auto is Safe’ is a good initiative. It will benefit both passengers and auto drivers. If passengers will feel safe and secure the probability of them hiring my auto will increase. Even if my auto is stolen, the police will be able to track it easily.”
N. Vidya Sagar, assistant commissioner of police, traffic (Central Zone), said: “The Supreme Court has clearly asked to implement installation of bar code in autos immediately. Installation costs nearly Rs 200.”
A press release on January 4 from the city police commissioner pointed out the problems commuters face. “Around 1.4 lakh autos in Hyderabad city police’s jurisdiction are operating in an unsafe and haphazard manner without adequate documents and unlicensed drivers,” it said. “It is also found that some drivers misbehave with passengers, charging undue fares and also indulge in unlawful activities. Many of these vehicles are also affecting road safety and security by parking in dangerous places, driving rashly and creating other nuisance. Hence, Hyderabad city orders all auto drivers to register with the traffic police.”
However, unions are opposing this move. “We have given all our details to RTA. The police can take our details from RTA,” Telangana Auto Drivers’ union JAC president B. Venkatesham said. “There is no need for registration by traffic cops. Cops are charging Rs 250 extra money from us.”
