IGP (Western Range) Pratap Reddy launched the Travel Safety Registry (TSR) system for autorickshaws in Udupi district at the District Police Office on Friday.
This TSR system is aimed primarily at providing safety to autorickshaw passengers in the district. Its implementation comes against the backdrop of the gang-rape of a Manipal student, which generated widespread concern among people on the safety of autorickshaw passengers.
The TSR system software is designed to maintain details of autorickshaw drivers in Udupi district. Autorickshaw drivers will have to visit their respective police stations and fill a form and furnish the required documents.
The Sub-Inspector of the police station will scrutinise the forms and provide autorickshaw drivers with a display card with a unique identification number.
The registration process began Friday. All the drivers in the district will have to compulsorily register and obtain a display card by December 31, 2013. Those who do not possess the card by that time will have to pay a fine of Rs. 2,000 from January 1, 2014. The whole registration process and issuance of display card is free of cost.
The drivers will have to display this card behind their seat. Any detail from the card could be helpful to track the driver in an emergency. Commuters can also notify the police if an autorickshaw is found not displaying the card.
Benefits
In case of a mishap, it will be easier to locate the autorickshaw driver in question. The fear of travelling unattended or travelling at night is reduced.
More people will be encouraged to travel in autorickshaws when driver details are verified by the police. This will also enable the autorickshaw driver to get more passengers. There won’t be frequent police checks of driver’s documents.
‘To be extended’
“The system has been launched on trial basis in Udupi district and after its success here, it will be extended to Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada and Chikmagalur districts,” Mr. Reddy said.
Superintendent of Police M.B. Boralingaiah said after autorickshaws, the TSR system would be extended to taxis and private buses in Udupi district.
Mr. Reddy also inaugurated the Udupi District Police Employees Cooperative Society.