59 autorickshaw stands are illegal: Traffic police

KOCHI: In an attempt to reduce vehicle congestion in the city, the traffic police have identified autorickshaw stands that create traffic jams within corporation limits and recommended their immediate shutdown.
The three-wheelers are a menace both to law and citizens, and a huge majority of them run without valid permits. Many auto stands have also been set up illegally.
The problem is expected to get worse as the Road Transport Authority (RTA) is gearing up to give new permits to over 3,000 autos.
The city traffic police, which conducted a detailed study on existing auto stands, found that there were 59 stands that have to be shifted due to the lack of road width and heavy flow of vehicles, resulting in congestion.
City deputy commissioner of police (DCP) V M Muhammed Rafeeq, who coordinated the study while he was the city traffic assistant commissioner, said that many auto stands have to be shifted, considering factors such as vehicle movement and traffic. "We found that many auto stands were situated in congested junctions and on roads which have a width of less than six metres," he said. The officer also demanded the RTA take immediate steps to prevent auto unions from monopolising certain auto stands in the city where the unions dictate terms and allow parking of autos that belong to their union members.
As per the report, auto stands can only be allowed on roads that have a width of more than six metres. The report has identified 59 auto stands in the city where unions have created illegal stands, including those at M G Road (North-end), south of Medical Trust Hospital, Kacheripady Ayurveda Hospital junction-Chittoor Road, Kombara Jn-Market road, Hospital Road and Pachalam Junction.
There are at least 15,000 autorickshaws plying in the city at any given time. A majority of them enter the city from neighbouring municipalities such as Kalamassery and Thrikkakara.
Officials said that efforts were on to accommodate more autorickshaws at prepaid parking slots in the premises of south and north railway stations.
"There are auto stands in the city where more autos can be accommodated. Authorities must issue more parking permits to autos at these stands," said a police official.