Autorickshaws may get QR code with drivers’ details

The recent incident in which an autorickshaw was used for a blast in Chandigarh has again highlighted the need to have important information such as permit, vehicle driver’s name, his contact number etc displayed on the auto’s screen. The practice had been started in several cities, including Jalandhar and Ludhiana, about 9-10 years back, but it could be sustained only for a short period.

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There have been several crime cases in cities wherein an autorickshaw driver was found to be involved or his auto had been used. Some recent incidents of snatching and road rage in Jalandhar have pointed to the role of auto drivers. The infamous murder of Arjuna awardee DSP Dalbir Singh in Jalandhar on the New Year eve too had the reported involvement of an autorickshaw driver.

Around the same time, a 25-year-old girl had been raped and murdered by an auto driver while she was returning from a church after Christmas celebrations.

According to estimates, there are nearly 12,000 autorickshaws plying in Jalandhar, of which roughly 4,000 have permits. The remaining autorickshaws are plying illegally with the drivers not even holding a valid driving licence.

The city traffic police had in 2015 started a scheme under which all autorickshaw drivers had been provided laminated stickers with information, including their permit numbers, names and contact numbers, pasted on the front screen and backside of the autos. The scheme was initiated to identify autorickshaws plying illegally, giving them time to get documents required for running autos and to ensure safety of the riders. The autorickshaw users had been asked to take a picture of the sticker and send it to customer’s relative before he boarded it.

ACP, Traffic, Pirtpal Singh said, “We had the ID scheme for autorickshaws in Sangrur where I had last remained posted. Since it was a smaller town, it was easier to implement it there. Here, we are planning to start the scheme using QR codes. The scheme is in planning stage and will be launched once it is cleared.”

Most autos plying illegally

There are nearly 12,000 autorickshaws plying in Jalandhar of which roughly 4,000 have permits. The remaining vehicles are plying illegally with drivers not even holding a valid driving licence.