ID cards for auto drivers soon

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, SEPT. 11. The DCP (Traffic), Mr. M.V. Dinakar Prasad, has said that identity cards would be soon introduced for all autorickshaw drivers operating in the twin cities, so as to enable the police to have proper record. The identity cards would be issued zone-wise.

In an interaction with auto drivers belonging to the East zone here on Tuesday, the DCP affirmed that there was no way of going back on GO 69 and it was upon them to ensure that they do not violate traffic rules to avoid hefty fines. He was also not inclined to reduce the fine amount.

To persistent appeals from auto drivers that the increased fines were hitting them hard, he said, ``you can't say you will drive as you like because you are in public transport and should be responsible towards the commuters.''

The DCP said the traffic department was getting many complaints from the people about auto drivers' violation of `no- parking' zones, jumping signals, adulterating petrol, tampering meters, obstructing traffic flow, etc.

``The city is ready to burst because of the increase in vehicular traffic and the roads are full. We have a major problem with you people and RTC drivers. We seek your cooperation and support in regulating the traffic,'' he averred.

The traffic police was trying to bring about a law to cancel the driving licenses of the frequent violators of the rules. In cases where `challans' were issued for not carrying relevant certificates, Mr. Prasad promised to waive them if certificates were produced to him.

The issue of freezing the registration of new autos in the twin cities region would be taken up with the Road Transport Authority as he felt, ``the present number of 80,000 autos was sufficient.''

However, the traffic police would act very sternly against those auto drivers indulging in anti-social activities, especially at autostands. The number of stands have already been increased to 206 and the traffic police was willing to demarcate more areas if the available stands were utilised properly.

Some of the auto drivers who attended the meeting also complained about the "abusive behaviour" of traffic police and sub-standard meter seals. The DCP assured that he would ask the legal metrology department to see that the seals remained intact at least for an year. He said he would be holding such meets in all the four zones.

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Section  : Southern States
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