Jamshedpur: The district traffic police on Tuesday continued with their drive against erring auto operators flouting forms.
Many autorickshaws plying on the city�s busy thoroughfares could be seen carrying passengers more than the permitted capacity. In several instances, the number of passengers seated inside the three-wheelers exceeds eight. There are around 25,000 autos which are plying on various routes in city roads carrying more than 2 lakhs commuters each day.
More than 50 auto-rickshaws were seized at the Jugsalai police station for violating Regional Transport Authority (RTA) order of 2000 following directive of the then Patna High Court (during erstwhile Bihar) which makes it mandatory for auto drivers to fix an iron rod on the right side so that passengers, especially elderly and children could feel safe.
The traffic police also checked documents of the seized autos to check if they had got pollution check and other necessary documents in place before levying fines for their offences.
Officials said that the drive against auto drivers carrying more passengers than their permit is aimed at reducing cases of mishaps in city.
�The auto operators have been given permit by Regional Transport Authority (RTA). as five-seaters capacity (including driver). However, in the city the auto operators usually carry more than seven persons. From today, autos violating this provision would be liable for a fine of Rs 1000,� they said.
Following Traffic DSP directive, traffic cops operating from five traffic outposts namely Bistupur, Jugsalai, and Sakchi.
�We are trying, with our existing manpower. We are booking cases especially near schools. But the transport department must follow it up with proper action,” said a traffic official. He added that this drive would continue in city at least for a month.
�We have seen passengers hanging on to the rod, overloaded as they are in an autorickshaw, as the driver runs the vehicle at full speed. Our Administration should have strict rules and regulations in place monitor and levy fines.
Otherwise it may be a repeat of other accidents that we see everyday,� said social worker.
Secretary of the Sikshit Berojgar Tempo Chalak Sangh, Shyam Kinkar Jha, has raised a voice of resent against the traffic police drive. �If the police continue with their drive we would be forced to call indefinite strike of all the auto operators in the city,� said Jha. He said that drivers are being harassed in the name of no entry and no parking too.
