Campaign against errant autos still on

LUDHIANA: It was another tough day forauto drivers as the administration continued checking the documents andimpounding the vehicles that have completed their road life. District transportoffice impounded 15 vehicles. Besides, till the filing of thereport, traffic police challaned 57 and impounded eight. Earlier, on Wednesday,the DTO had challaned 20 and impounded 17 while traffic police had challaned 250and impounded 12.Speaking about it, district transport officer Ashwani Kumar said, "We started the campaign on Wednesday and would continue it for the next couple of days. Our main motive is to give the residents a pollution-free city. We are waiting for the Punjab and Haryana High Court ruling in the case concerning plying of diesel autos. Action in that direction will be based on the hearing scheduled for May 3."Sources said autos are thebiggest problem on city roads. The administration had decided that auto-driverswould wear uniform and their name and phone numbers would be displayed on thevehicle. Moreover, the DTO had announced that they would mark yellow lines onpaths for these drivers to follow. But no measures wereimplemented.In light of this scenario, Kunal Sharma, a residentsaid, "The department announces plans frequently. Hence, the vital question ishow long the present measure would be effective because once authorities stopchallaning the autos, these would be back on tracks. The authorities should formsome concrete policy to eradicate this forever."Another resident,Jatinder Khurana, said, "The administration should propose a substitute toobecause it is the main mode of transport for residents. If authorities areplanning to remove these, how will people commute. In the absence of city busservice, every person cannot afford radio cabs."