Rs 7 lakh recovered as fine from auto drivers in 3 weeks

Ajay Joshi

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, January 9

Clamping down on traffic violations, the police have collected a hefty amount as fine from auto-rickshaw drivers since the implementation of the Motors Vehicles (Amendment) Act in the city.

According to information obtained from the Regional Transport Office (RTO), as many as 79 challans were issued to auto-rickshaw drivers for overloading of passengers and rash driving. An amount of Rs7.08 lakh was recovered as fine from 50 offenders between December 19 and January 9.

Most of the auto-rickshaw drivers were challaned for overloading passengers. The auto drivers ferrying schoolkids were told not to risk the lives of children. Besides, they were apprised of Safe School Vahan policy’s guidelines.

ADCP (Traffic) Gagnesh Kumar said, “Recently, 26 auto-rickshaws were challaned for overloading passengers. The same number of vehicles, which were illegally operating in the district, was impounded. Old auto-rickshaws, causing air pollution, were also warned to go off road immediately.”

Traffic police (Reader) Narinder Singh, said, “Considering overloading of passengers by auto-rickshaw drivers, the traffic police personnel have been asked to issue a challan of Rs200 for carrying one extra passenger than the prescribed limit.

A fine of Rs400 will be imposed for carrying two extra passengers and for three passengers, the fine is Rs600.”

Notably, the death of a nine-year-old school student, Sakshi, after falling off an auto-rickshaw in August, last year, had raised questions on the overloading of passengers in these vehicles, especially the ones ferrying schoolchildren.

Commuters are of the view that the overcrowded auto-rickshaws are an obstacle in the smooth traffic flow. Non-compliance of rules by errant drivers put the lives of children travelling in overloaded autos at risk Meanwhile, auto-rickshaw drivers in the city are not aware of the limit of passengers. The president of the Bhagat Singh Auto Union demanded that the administration and the traffic police should provide them fixed parking spots.