Autos flout norms with impunity in Ludhiana
Auto-rickshaw and e-rickshaw drivers had been told to comply with the norms which provide for wearing uniform replete with a name plate and displaying driver’s details on the vehicle. However, auto drivers have been violating these rules with impunity.
The instructions were issued by the police in March this year. Several meeting were also held between the traffic police officials and auto-rickshaw unions for effective implementation of the orders.
The issue of identification of auto drivers had assumed importance follwing the recent grenade attack in Chandigarh, in which two suspects had come in a auto-rickshaw and fled in the same vehicle.
Notably, the purpose of these orders was to ensure that no auto driver can hide his identity and in case of any crime, he can be identified. Reportedly, several autos are plying on the city roads bearing fake registration numbers.
Moreover, auto drivers have been found involved in looting passengers and the police had a tough time in tracing them. Initially, when these orders were issued by the Ludhiana police, the residents had applauded the initiative. However, with the passage of time, the police started adopting a lenient approach.
On Sunday, during a survey in the city, many auto-rickshaws and e-rickshaws were found not complying with the instructions. Drivers were seen driving the autos without wearing uniform and vehicles were without a number plate.
SafeAutoPb app initiative
On June 30, 2021, the Ludhiana Police had launched a special drive to verify all auto-rickshaws by equipping them with a unique ID and linking it with a mobile application ‘SafeAutoPb’. Through the app, the passengers could verify the credentials of the auto-rickshaw driver and interior-exterior of auto as well. Initially, the data of hundreds of auto-rickshaws were updated but with the passage of time, the details were not updated. The initiative was the brainchild of then Joint CP (Traffic) Deepak Pareek.
