Karnataka - Bangalore   

Auto drivers want lane system to go

Staff Reporter

Drivers take out a procession against some conditions in permit

BANGALORE: Several autorickshaw drivers on Tuesday took out a procession protesting against the lane system.

The drivers said the separate lanes for autorickshaws was slowing down the movement of the vehicles. With the lane system being enforced on all major roads, the slow movement had resulted in causing delays in taking commuters to railway stations, bus stations and airport. Many people were avoiding taking autorickshaws, they said.

The drivers said the autorickshaws had been been given very little space for easy movement.

"In cases of emergency, we cannot overtake autorickshaws moving ahead. We are being forced to move in the same speed as the slower vehicles ahead," said Rajesh, an autorickshaw driver.

The lane system was unscientific and was being enforced by the police without consulting them, the drivers said. They wanted the system to be scrapped.

The drivers were concerned about inclusion of following the lane system as one of the clauses in the permits issued to them. The other conditions include avoiding parking in no-parking zones and taking passengers to destinations asked for. If drivers were found violating any of the permit conditions, the police can fine them between Rs. 2,000 and Rs. 10,000. The fine amount, the drivers said, was high and they would find it hard to pay the amount. Such a fine would become a tool for the police to harass them, the drivers said. The drivers want reduction in the fine amount. The drivers, under the flagship of Autorickshaw Driver's Union, took their vehicles in a procession from Basaveshwara Nagar 8th Cross to the Regional Transport Office, Rajajinagar. The union members presented to the Regional Transport Officer, a memorandum pressing for fulfilment of various demands.

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