Police ban entry of diesel autorickshaws in city limits

AURANGABAD: City police commissioner Amitesh Kumar has finally banned the entry of diesel autorickshaws in the city from January 1.
In a communication on Thursday, Kumar said he had invited suggestions and objections to the proposal to streamline diesel autorickshaws in the city and also regarding their functioning. After considering the objections and suggestions, he has decided to ban the entry of such vehicles.
Buddhinath Baral of Lal Bavta Rickshaw Union said there are about 20,000 autorickshaws plying in the city of which about 2,000 are diesel-operated vehicles, popularly known as ape rickshaws. He said the police should have concentrated on disposal of autorickshaws that have completed 20-year life span. He said the decision would badly affect the livelihood of diesel autorickshaw owners and drivers.
The police commissioner has also specified the places up to which the diesel autorickshaws could be allowed. The ban would be in effect between 8am and 9pm. The police also clarified that autorickshaw owners or drivers could go out without taking passengers at 7am and return at 9pm without them.
Kumar said if someone has objection to his order, he could approach the assistant police commissioner (traffic) with his objections in writing within a month. He also warned them of action for violating the orders under section 131 of the Bombay Police Act.
According to Kumar's order, autorickshaws coming from Phulambri would be allowed upto Harsul, but would not be allowed up to Jalgaon T-point near Harsul. Authorickshaws coming from Waluj towards Ahmednagar naka would be allowed up to the Naka, vehicles coming from Paithan up to Mahanubhav Ashram and the ones coming from Chikalthana till Chikalthana village.