HC questions UT Admn on policy for auto drivers

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, May 24

The Punjab and Haryana High Court today questioned the UT Administration on policy for dealing with auto-rickshaw drivers steering clear of the rules and regulations.

As the traffic regulation and road safety case came up for hearing, the Bench of Chief Justice Krishna Murari and Justice Amol Rattan Singh directed the Administration to provide information on the policy, if it was in existence.

Fixing July 19 as the next date of hearing in the matter, the Bench also asked the UT to elaborate on the steps initiated by it in case such a policy was not in place. The directions came after the friend of the court or amicus curiae told the Bench that the number of auto-rickshaws was increasing at a fast pace in the city. She said it was also observed that the drivers were openly violating the traffic rules.

As a result, the safety of commuters, including pedestrians, was at stake. She said the High Court had time and again issued directions on road safety, including use of cycle tracks. As such, the Administration was required to inform the Bench on the compliance of the directions.

The High Court had earlier asked the UT authorities to specify the number of challans issued for wrong parking. The UT was also directed to specify whether action has been initiated against people driving on cycle tracks and footpaths.

The Bench had verbally observed that Chandigarh was known to be a city of educated people. As such, it was required to be number one as far as the compliance of traffic rules was involved.

The Bench made it clear that it would take up the issue regarding the creation of bus corridor. The Bench also made it clear to the UT and the Municipal Corporation that they were required to provide details regarding the transportation system involving environmental friendly buses.

The Bench also called for details regarding the status of cycle tracks in the city. The counsel for the UT Administration said the repair work would conclude by June and the task of creating new tracks would be achieved by year-end.