Traffic chaos in Rohtak routine, no check on auto-rickshaws

Sunit Dhawan

Advertisement

Thousands of auto-rickshaws plying in and around Rohtak town not only pose a threat to the environment by causing air and noise pollution, but also lead to traffic chaos throughout the day.

The pollution caused by auto-rickshaws is causing health disorders. They have been causing inconvenience to residents and commuters for several years, but the authorities concerned have not been able to address the problem.

“Thanks to a lack of a regulatory mechanism to check or control the plying of auto-rickshaws, their number has increased manifold in recent years. Hence, the problems of air and noise pollution and traffic chaos caused by auto-rickshaws have aggravated,” says Shruti Singhal Ghai, a local schoolteacher.

Phool Kanwar, a retired government official, says that the Traffic Police authorities and the local administration should tackle this issue of general public interest on priority. He adds that the lack of a public transport system in the town has made auto-rickshaws an unavoidable inconvenience.

Several voluntary organisations have also been demanding the adoption of effective measures in this regard. The odd-even formula for auto-rickshaws was implemented several years ago, but it had to be discontinued due to practical problems.  

The authorities do not take harsh measures to curb the number of auto-rickshaws, as these provide a source of livelihood to thousands of families.

Prithi Singh, Rohtak DSP (Traffic), says that the union of auto-rickshaw operators has been taken into confidence to ensure that traffic rules are followed, besides penalising those found violating rules. “We will approach the State Transport Department to launch a local bus service in the town, preferably mini-buses, so that residents can get an affordable and easily available public transport. We will also take steps to promote e-rickshaws, which are also an alternative means of transport and do not cause air and noise pollution,” he says.