MANGALURU: The Road Transport Authority (RTA) of Dakshina Kannada has said at a meeting that it has considered the problems of autorickshaw drivers, who face difficulties due to the ongoing development works of Smart City Mission, seriously.
DC K V Rajendra, who is also the chairman of Dakshina Kannada RTA, said that the representatives of autorickshaw driver unions will be invited for the next meeting of the City-Level Advisery Forum (CLAF) of Mangaluru Smart City Ltd (MSCL) to discuss their problems. Chairing an RTA meet here on Friday, Rajendra, also CLAF chairman, said issues related to autorickshaw stands in the city will be discussed at the CLAF meeting.
To allegations that autorickshaw stands are being vacated, Rajendra said a survey will be conducted to count the total number of stands in the city. “We will also consider increasing the number of stands by authorising the unauthorised ones, if necessary. Meanwhile, the problems faced by autorickshaw drivers due to the ongoing development works of MSCL will be discussed in detail at the CLAF meet,” he said.
Mangaluru city police officials informed that they have identified 210 stands in the city. However, representatives of autorickshaw drivers’ forums said it is not sufficient for the city where 6,993 permits have been issued.. Dakshina Kannada District Autorickshaw Drivers’ and Owners’ Federation (ARDOF) honorary president Ashok Kumar Shetty asked the authorities to identify additional spots. “Our suggestions should be considered before taking up development works. Many auto stands have been demolished for various development works, and they should be reconstructed,” he said.
On issuing permits for electric autorickshaws, the DC said that the government is expected to first issue related guidelines. ARDOF adviser B Vishnumurthy said that the district administration should make permit mandatory for electric autorickshaws too. Meanwhile, the drivers demanded that those having permits for conventional autorickshaws be allowed to convert their permits so they too can upgrade to electric vehicles.
The DC said that all private bus owners should compulsorily equip their vehicles with GPS within 15 days. “An intelligent traffic management system is being introduced through Smart City Mission for the safety of passengers, especially women. Hence all buses should be equipped with GPS,” Rajendra said, and warned of action in case of non-adherence.