Jamshedpur: Unauthorised autorickshaw stands are proliferating in the city like never before, hampering movement of vehicles and pedestrians. An apt example is at Sakchi, where there are five unauthorised stands.
Deputy superintendent of police (traffic) Vivekanand Thakur admitted that auto-drivers tend to park their vehicles on unauthorised stands. �We do take action against auto-rickshaw drivers by slapping fines and advising them to park vehicles at authorised stands only, but they continue to violate the rules,� said Thakur. He said that a drive will start from this week.
Auto-rickshaws parked virtually on road to pick passengers and vehicles illegally parked on road just adjacent to the newly developed parking bay is causing traffic chaos on Sakchi roundabout- one of the most busiest traffic intersection of city in the heart of city.
Ironically, this blatant traffic violations are happening right under the nose of traffic cops with Sakchi traffic inspector office situated on one side of the Sakchi roundabout. The Sakchi roundabout witness on an average movement of nearly 2 lakh vehicles daily.
Auto-rickshaws can be found parked on the road both on the Straight Mile Road (connecting Sakchi to Kadma) and on Sand Line road, popularly known as Sakchi Highway (connecting Sakchi to Mango) congesting traffic movement on the double lane roads.
To add to the commuters woes, SUVs, cars and even bikes are found parked in prohibited areas on the Sakchi Highway almost adjacent to the new parking bay developed by Jusco in May this year, virtually a stone�s throw away from Sakchi roundabout and Sakchi traffic inspector office.
�There is a parking bay developed by Jusco and managed by Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee (JNAC) which fixes parking fees. However, people prefer to park vehicles on roads for free instead of paying a paltry fee which causes inconvenience for commuters. It is all happening due to slackness of the police,� said a senior functionary of Singhbhum Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI).
Thakur admitted of the parking menace created by auto-rickshaw drivers and individuals but tried to put up a brave front. �We have been receiving complaints against these auto-rickshaw drivers and had carried out a drive against them few months back. But they resort to agitation under political patronage. However, we will start a drive against them again. We do tow away vehicles parked in prohibited areas on this stretch and will carry such drive again,� said traffic DSP.
At present, there are over 25,000 auto-rickshaws and over 300 stands in the city. Of these, more than 50 per cent of the stands are unauthorised and are located in the residential areas.
Auto stands at residential areas not just create congestion on neighbourhood roads but also �an unhealthy atmosphere�, claim residents. Auto stands are located in 17 densely populated neighbourhoods, including Bistupur, Sonari, Kagalnagar, Burmamines, Sakchi, Jugsalai and Baridih.
