Barely within two months of the announcement of new strictures set by the state government auto rickshaw drivers of the city are audaciously defying them.
Several auto rickshaws of different routes of the city like Phool Bagan, Sealdah, Mallickbazar, Park Circus, MG Road, BK Paul are still seen flaunting heavy LED lights and thumping loud music while on the move on the eve of
Diwali.
State transport minister Madan Mitra announced the government decision of banning LED lights, music system as a follow up initiative of Sinthee More auto frenzy on August 21, in order to curb the reckless behaviour of the rouge auto rickshaw drivers.
State government intervention was prompted when a four year-old kid Adrika Ghoshal fell off from an auto rickshaw while on her way back home from school with her mother on August 16.
“Yes I heard about the new rules set by the minister. But it’s a festive season. Diwali is coming. So I decorated my auto with some lights, what’s the big deal about it,” asks an auto rickshaw driver at Sinthi More route.
“Auto drivers play loud music. You can’t talk over cell phone while traveling, as the volume of remains too loud even if you ask them to turn it down,” complains Nivedita Halder, a daily commuter of Ultandanga-BK Paul auto route.