RAJAHMUNDRY: In an attempt to bring down crime rate and ease traffic flow in the city, the police have decided to issue passes to auto drivers operating in the night time.
The new rule takes effect on July 15 and all auto drivers in the city are required to obtain the passes from the traffic police within one week. It is mandatory for auto drivers on duty between 12 am and 4 am to sport the passes as the city has been witnessing a number of crimes in the night.
Traffic police officers have revealed that local auto drivers have informed them that autos operating in the city coming from other places are mainly responsible for the increase in the crime rate. Officer on special duty (OSD) A Rama Devi, who took the issue seriously, conducted a meeting with the Auto Drivers’ Union Saturday. Rama Devi said auto drivers should wear uniform and be in possession of their identity cards. Overloading, wrong parking and overspeeding were banned, she added.
Meanwhile, Rajahmundry Urban SP TRK Murthy asked the OSD to take steps to ease traffic congestion and check the crimes occurring in the autos.
DSP Umapati Varma, traffic inspectors D Prasad, R Subrahmanyeswara Rao, Auto Drivers’ Union leaders VG Rao and B Satyanarayana were present.