KOCHI: As is the case of many brilliant ideas and projects, the much hyped proposal to provide unique number system and identification cards to autorickshaw drivers in the city to keep the commuters safe still remains on paper. Sources maintain that the police is trying to roll out the project under the aegis of Motor Vehicles Department(MVD) and has approached the department to allot the unique numbers along with the permits. The talks, however, has not reached anywhere and project still remains a mere proposal.
According to the proposal, autorickshaw drivers will be issued an unique number which they should display on the vehicle. The traffic police will be maintaining registers that will these unique numbers and also the details of the autorickshaw drivers who have been issued these. For example, the officers will have the name of the driver, registration number, his mobile number, his address, name and address of the owner of the vehicle.
The commuters can use this unique number while registering their complaints before the police officers if the drivers misbehave, try to fleece and have not switched on the meter. Subsequently, the authorities can easily track the errant driver and the details will be sent to the Motor Vehicles Department who will suspend the license of the driver.
Earlier, police used to conduct frequent autorickshaw fare meter checking drive in the city. However, the drive gradually lost steam with MVD not taking action against the errant drivers even after being provided enough ammunition by the traffic police.
Meanwhile, RTO K M Shaji told Kochi Express that he has no knowledge about the project.
“We have already issued 4,500 permits to autorickshaws and at present there is no move to allocate more permits. There has been no intimation from any quarters about the unique number scheme,” he added. However, Baby Vinod, Assistant Commissioner Traffic (West) said, the distribution of identification cards to the autorickshaw drivers is underway.
What’s the proposal
Autorickshaw drivers will be issued an unique number which the driver should display on the vehicle. The traffic police will be maintaining registers that will these unique numbers and also the details of the autorickshaw drivers who have been issued these. For example, the officers will have the name of the driver, registration number, his mobile number, his address, name and address of the owner of the vehicle
How will it help commuters
The commuters can use this unique number while registering their complaints before the police officers if the drivers misbehave, try to fleece and have not switched on the meter
After She Taxi, it’s She Auto!
Like She Taxi, owned and operated by women, the city will soon get women friendly ‘She Autos’. Baby Vinod, Assistant Commissioner Traffic (West) told Kochi Express that 250 women auto rickshaw drivers have been identified for the project, which is intended to provide safe journey to women. The inauguration of the project will likely be held next week. These autorickshaws will be available for service from morning to night.