Automen add to traffic chaos

By Marri Ramu

HYDERABAD, AUG. 2. The problem was, is and will be there. With very few personnel deployed to restrict parking of autorickshaws right in front of bus stops, it appears as though traffic snarls are here to stay.

Movement of traffic at a snail's pace and frequent traffic jams witnessed by motorists on the road from the Secunderabad railway reservation counter to the railway station is one such example. Parking of autorickshaws in front of the Rathifile bus station is the main reason for this. More deplorable is that it is happening despite there being a separate auto stand in front of the bus station. Not only motorists, but also commuters waiting at the bus stop are facing lot of inconvenience. RTC drivers are forced to halt their vehicles at either end of the bus stop as a result.

The APSRTC Hyderabad City Regional Manager, Mr. C.H. Rameswara Rao, said that drivers were being penalised by the Traffic Police for stopping the buses at points other than bus stops. He said that about 95 traffic guides were appointed by the corporation to regulate the movement of buses and restrain parking of autos at bus stops. Though this measure yielded good results, traffic guides could not be appointed at each and every bus stop as it was found to be financially unviable.

According to Mr. Rameswara Rao, RTC drivers had a ``cool and comfortable'' driving experience during the two-day auto strike recently. He said that the RTC had requested the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Traffic, to convene a meeting with auto unions and ensure free flow of traffic.

The problem at the Rathifile bus station is not an isolated one. It is ubiquitous. It is high time the officials concerned took some concrete steps and restrain auto drivers from creating chaotic conditions on the roads.

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