The issue of increasing the number of autorickshaw stands and that of pushcarts congesting narrow roads dominated the general body meeting of Udupi City Municipal Council (CMC) here on Wednesday.
The councillors of the Congress party clashed between themselves on the issue of autorickshaw stands. Raising the issue, Shashiraj Kundar, said that it was impossible for both two wheelers and four-wheelers to drive at the Guru Kripa Junction because of a stand there. “What is the point in having an autorickshaw stand every 20 metres?” he said.
Meanwhile there were exchanges between the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) councillors over whether an autorickshaw stand in that area was meant to serve a particular community.
Sukesh Kunder, councillor, said that it was incorrect to create wrong impression about autorickshaw drivers.
Any change in stands should be done in consultation with the drivers and the people of that area, he said.
Finally, it was decided to do an inspection of the areas where there were stands in congested areas. When councillors asked why pushcarts selling fruits and others wares were being allowed in congested roads, Anand, health inspector, said that they had given notices to the pushcart operators.
D. Manjunathaiah, CMC Commissioner, said that a meeting of police, revenue and other related departments would be held on this issue on March 2.
