KOLKATA: If an auto rickshaw driver misbehaves with you, just dial 1073 and make a complaint to police control. You don't have to remember the number even.
The government has also made it mandatory for auto rickshaw drivers to display the four-digit number on their vehicles, said state transport minister Madan Mitra after a high-level meeting at the Writers' Buildings on Tuesday.
Mitra announced the government decision as a follow up measure of the auto rage at Sinthee More on Monday in which a girl was injured. "Driving licence of the offending auto driver Sanjay Das and that of the taxi driver, who had created nuisance at Howrah, will be cancelled. We will also scrap their route permits," the transport minister said.
Mitra then appealed to auto and taxi unions to help the police identify the offenders. "We have got complaints from commuters during the peak evening hours from half past seven to nine in the night. I would ask union members to be present at all the auto stands and the police have been instructed to cancel the permits of auto drivers if any serious offence is committed by them," Mitra said.
The government has also banned playing music or music channels
by auto drivers while on the road. "Music systems and LED lighting decoration in autos are from now on banned. Massive penalty will be imposed according to the rules if any kind of music systems are found in autos. No lighting decoration will be allowed either," the minister said, adding that the drivers can't even listen to songs on FM while driving.
The transport minister reiterated that the state directive that asks auto drivers not to carry more than four passengers. "The police have been instructed not to chase any offending auto or to stop the traffic signal to stop them. The police will just inform through wireless to the next stop, where the traffic police are posted where the offending vehicle will be intercepted," Mitra added.
Also, no auto driver will be allowed to smoke while driving and identity cards have to be issued to all auto drivers. "It has been noticed that many auto drivers are driving even without a driving license. We are also asking all the unions that no driver will be able to drive for the next six months if their permit gets cancelled."
The minister blamed it on the central Motor Vehicles Act that has come in the way of booking offenders. "There are some problems which is relevant for our state but may not be relevant for other states. We want some amendment in the act, so that we can take stern action against any serious offense committed by auto or taxi drivers," Mitra said. He also said the police will conduct weekly or periodical workshops for auto and taxi drivers to see that they know all the roads and places in the city. "The drivers who will attend the workshops will be given certificates. The transport department will bear all the cost," Mitra said.
Courtesy :
Times of India
Thanks…Saumya
No comments:
Post a Comment