Visakhapatnam: The tall claims by police to restrict entry of auto-rickshaws into Vizag city and on to NH-16 stretch in north Andhra region belie the truth that the number of autos plying on the highway has only been increasing. Vizag traffic police initiated a drive to check unauthorised entry of auto-rickshaws into the city limits by imposing hefty fines and even seizing the three-wheelers. However, the police drive had impact only for a couple of days after which, following a protest from the auto-rickshaw drivers, it fizzled out.
ADCP (traffic) K. Mahendra Patrudu said the number of auto-rickshaws plying in Vizag city has crossed 40,000 against the permissible limit of 15,000. “So we have been struggling to check the unauthorised entry of the three-wheelers into the city limits from the suburbs and neighbouring districts. We agree that the auto-rickshaws in Vizag city are the best mode of transportation but theheavy inflow of three-wheelers is blocking roads and causing traffic jams,” he added.
During his recent visit to Vizag, DGP N. Sambasiva Rao said mishaps on NH-16 stretch (Chennai-Kolkata), passing through the state, have claimed more lives, than any other NH in the state. “We are chalking out plans to ban the entry of auto-rickshaws on a few stretches of the NH-16 in north Andhra region to reduce traffic chaos and also road accidents,” he Sources said the police and the RTA authorities hesitate to take strict action against the erring auto-rickshaws as some unions of the auto-rickshaw drivers are influencing the enforcement authorities.
The roads in vizag city are choked with the autos but due to lack of coordination between the police and RTA, these vehicles are able to ply in the city, said P. Anil Kumar, a motorist in Vizag city. “The lack of coordination between the police and road transport authorities in banning autos on the highway and in the city is leading to blockade of roads and inconvenience to other commuters,” observed R. Sudhakar, another commuter in the city. “Autos are a convenient mode of transport in the city but the violation of norms by the drivers of those vehicles cause a lot of trouble to others plying on the roads,” said S. Anuradha, an employee who goes to office on her two-wheeler.
