Cuttack: The continuous crackdown on auto-rickshaws by Commissionerate Police for alleged violation of rules has triggered reaction from among the auto-rickshaw federation members of the city here.
The traffic police carried out the checks between Bajrakabati Road and Badambadi Square Sunday and collected `20,800 penalty from 208 auto drivers, said sources.
Auto-rickshaw owners’ federation president Subash Singh, however, strongly condemned the frequent crackdown on the auto-rickshaw drivers.
“Around 5,000 auto-rickshaws ply on the city roads on a daily basis. The Cuttack Development Authority and Cuttack Municipal Corporation used to run city bus services which have been suspended. Besides, the Commissionerate Police had launched prepaid auto services which are only available at the railway station, Badambadi and SCB Medical College and Hospital,” Singh said.
“There is no parking facility for auto-rickshaws in the city. It is illegitimate on part of police to impose penalty without making proper arrangements. While many unemployed youths earn their living by operating auto-rickshaws, the police are harassing them by imposing penalty on a regular basis,” Singh added. “Now the police highhandedness has become intolerable. Besides, I want to know where the penalty amount goes,” Singh questioned.
“The police should first come up with adequate measures and spread awareness before carrying out such checks,” Singh maintained.
On the other hand, traffic police confronted the arguments and said the crackdown is being conducted as per the Orissa High Court order. “Penalty is being collected from auto-rickshaw drivers for traffic rule violation, drunken driving and carrying passengers beyond the capacity,” deputy commissioner of police Sanjeev Arora said.
According to Arora, some drivers are running the vehicle without valid identity card and uniform and carry passengers beyond the capacity. The penalty is being collected as per motor vehicle (MV) Act.”
ACP (traffic) PK Dalai said, “An auto-rickshaw has a capacity to ferry four persons including the driver. However, more passengers are being carried in autos which often lead to mishap. Although we held discussion with various auto associations and advised them to use uniform, they are not following it. Besides, the CP has issued identity cards to auto drivers, but they are not keeping the identity cards with them. Hence, we are collecting penalty from the violators.
“We have written to the CMC to identity parking space. Besides, we are planning to introduce prepaid auto service in other parts of the city. The service is being launched in a phased manner,” Dalai added.
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