Traffic police want more autorickshaws

After failing to rein in errant autorickshaw drivers, the Delhi traffic police now want to increase the number of three-wheelers plying on city roads to curb gross violation of traffic norm. Subhendu Ray reports.

After failing to rein in errant autorickshaw drivers, the Delhi traffic police now want to increase the number of three-wheelers plying on city roads to curb gross violation of traffic norm.

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Recently, the department had demanded lifting of cap on the number of autos allowed to ply on city roads. At present, 55,000 autorickshaws ply on the Capital's roads. The Supreme Court had fixed the number of autorickshaws at 55,000 in 1997.

The Delhi Traffic Police believe that the sealing now should be lifted, as the city needs more three-wheelers to cater to the needs of commuters. This will not only give a huge relief to commuters, but will also help reduce traffic norm violations by them.

"We have taken up the matter with the transport department and also sought the chief secretary's intervention to approach the Supreme Court to lift the cap immediately," said Satyendra Garg, joint commissioner of police (traffic).

He said thousands of city commuters depend on cycle rickshaws and autos for commuting. "When the high court has already quashed sealing on one lakh cycle-rickshaws, the same should be done with autos as well," he said.

He said Mumbai has almost one-tenth of Delhi's road area, but over two lakh autos ply in the commercial capital.

Once the cap on the number of autos is lifted, the trend of overcharging or running without meter can be dealt with ease by the police.