Police seize over 50 autos running minus valid docus

Bhubaneswar: The commissionerate police have seized more than 50 auto-rickshaws in the last two days for ferrying passengers without fitness certificate and other valid documents.
It is mandatory for all transport vehicles to carry valid registration certificate, driving licence, motor insurance, fitness and pollution under control (PUC) certificate for transporting passengers. During surprise checks, the police found most auto-rickshaws were running without valid documents.
“Of the 50 auto-rickshaws seized, we found at least 35 of them did not possess motor insurance and fitness certificates. We immediately seized the vehicles. They have been given some time to avail motor insurance and then apply for fitness certificate at the regional transport office. Without a motor insurance policy, fitness certificate can’t be given,” a senior traffic police officer said.
At least 18,000 auto-rickshaws have been plying in the city. Police said they would continue to check the documents of auto-rickshaws and take action against the violators.
The fitness certificate of the vehicles was automatically renewed in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid, since RTOs had been closed to check the spread of the virus.
“We had given a five-month deadline to the vehicles to get all transport related documents ready this year. However, many of them ignored our order. If they still do not comply with the order, we will send prosecution reports against the owners to the court,” the officer added.
The police have also decided to identify dedicated stands and bays for three-wheelers at prominent places in the city. Though the police had in 2020 earmarked dedicated pick up and drop points and auto-rickshaw bays at different places, including Raj Mahal Square, Kalpana Square and Vani Vihar Square, the drivers hardly used those places.
“We will sensitize them to not pick up passengers from anywhere on busy roads and drop them at any place. Unregulated pick up and drop points often result in traffic congestion,” the officer said.
However, lack of adequate parking lots and absence of dedicated auto-rickshaw stands have been contributing to the traffic woes to a great extent. Auto-rickshaw drivers said creation of dedicated stands will ease the traffic situation.
“We are forced to park our vehicles on roadsides owing to the absence of parking lots. Police often harass and penalize us for illegal parking. At least 200 auto-rickshaw stands should be identified in the city,” said Paban Sahoo, a driver.