Regional Transport Authority to inspect auto rickshaw permits

Times of India: The Regional Transport Authority (RTA) has initiated a drive in Pune city for inspection of auto rickshaw permits. The RTA, during the drive, will confiscate permits of rickshaw drivers who hold government jobs and at the same time drive rickshaw for additional income.

Baba Shinde, RTA member said, “As per the permit rules, a auto driver has to surrender the auto permit to the RTO if he/ she is holding a government job as well as has an alternative source of income. The city at present has 44,552 authorised auto permits. However, it has been noticed that even if the auto drivers are in government jobs
, many of them have not surrendered their permits to the RTO.”

“The drive for inspection of permits is being conducted for the first time in last 12 years. It will be taken up jointly with regional transport office (RTO) and city traffic police branch. The RTA has appealed auto drivers to take active participation and come out with all the details pertaining to permit and income sources,” he added.

Shinde said that the state government has stopped issuing new permits since last 12 years. However, it has been noticed that the auto drivers are leasing their permits illegally. Such practices have been on since many years. The drive will help detect such illegal practices and initiate action against them.

Shinde said, “The central institute of road transport has set the norms of 800 autos against per 1 lakh population in the city. The Pune city at present already has more number of autos than stated norms.”

Shinde said that the confiscated permits can be distributed to the needful. He also added that the RTA is giving serious thought over provisions of surrender of permit to the government as well as transfer of permit. This would curb the illegal practices.

More articles by The Desk

• Mahindra’s ‘World-SUV’ to roll out of new Chakan plant - March 15th, 2010
• Six-laning of highway from Dehu Road to Satara to begin by end of year - March 15th, 2010
• Mula river's hyacinth is a nuisance - March 15th, 2010
• Alphonso traders pin hopes on Gudi Padva - March 15th, 2010
• MSRTC hikes bus fares - March 15th, 2010

Also see:

• January 25, 2010 -- RTA to introduce radio autorickshaw service in the city (0)
• July 27, 2009 -- RTA’s radio cabs proposal may end rickshaw monopoly on city’s roads (0)
• July 3, 2009 -- Auto rickshaw unions demand fare hike after recently hike in fuel price (0)
• May 7, 2009 -- Auto rickshaw strike was called off from midnight of Wednesday (0)
• March 4, 2009 -- RTA plans to launch pre-paid rickshaw booths across the city (0)