Chandigarh police initiate drive to streamline operations of autorickshaws

CHANDIGARH: Despite so many efforts from Chandigarh traffic police to streamline the operations of three-wheeler scooter-rickshaw (TSR) or auto rickshaws on city roads, several complaints from public against TSR drivers are coming to them on a daily basis.
These complaints are related to wrong parking of autos on main roads, near roundabouts, light points, driving without route permit, over loading, over charging, faulty meters, refusal to go on certain routes and misbehaviour with passengers.
Therefore, traffic police have initiated a special drive to check violations by autorickshaws in different parts of the city.
"Late on Wednesday evening, 103 autos were challaned. Forty autorickshaws were challaned for being without valid route permit, 30 for wrong parking and 33 for overloading. Apart from this, 80 autos were also impounded. The drive would continue in the coming days," said Vijay Kumar, deputy superintendent of traffic police, Chandigarh.
Besides, to check the menace of over-charging by auto-rickshaw drivers, police have also introduced a system of 'pre-paid TSR fare service' in the city.
"Many such complaints of over-charging went unreported as the passengers either do not have the time or the requisite knowledge to register their complaints with the traffic police. In order, to ensure a hassle free travel for public, we have introduced a 'pre-paid TSR fare service' on various locations," stated Kumar.
Pre-paid booths have been set by traffic police at various locations in Chandigarh. Some of these included ISBT (sector 17), ISBT (sector 43), PGIMER (Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research) gate, near Panjab University, sector 22 market, Sukhna Lake and Rock Garden.