12 auto-rickshaws challaned

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, October 14

Tightening noose over the overloading of passengers by auto-rickshaw drivers, the traffic police wing on Monday issued challans to all such vehicles.

Most of the violators were auto-rickshaws jam-packed with school kids. The offenders were told not to risk the lives of children and were also apprised of Safe School Vahan Rules. ADCP (traffic) Gagnesh Kumar said around 12 auto-rickshaws overloaded with schoolchildren were challaned.

The auto-rickshaw drivers were stopped near various schools in the city and on busy roads. Besides, the auto-rickshaw drivers were also made aware of safety guards such as the angle rods on the sides of their vehicles. They were also advised to install mini-doors in their autos for the safety of children.

Notably, the death of a nine-year-old school student Sakshi, after falling off from an auto-rickshaw in August, had raised serious concerns over the overloading of passengers on auto-rickshaws, especially the ones ferrying school children. In many instances, it is also found that the passenger seat of an auto-rickshaw is opened wide to pack in more children. These overcrowded auto-rickshaws also hinder the smooth traffic flow. School bags and lunch bags hung to the hooks fitted at the sides, causing disturbance to other commuters. Non-compliance of rules by errant drivers endangers the lives of innocent children travelling in overloaded autos, said commuters.