The Tiruchirapalli City Corporation has convened a meeting with the autorickshaw drivers and drivers unions on Saturday to take forward its decision to streamline and regulate autorickshaw stands in the city.
The civic body proposes to classify the city into different zones and grant permission for autorickshaw stands depending on availability of space and public requirement.
Apart from eliciting the views of the drivers and unions on the issue at the meeting, the Corporation has also planned to distribute applications to drivers and unions separately to register themselves to operate from existing auto stands or the ones that are to be notified afresh. The Corporation plans to approve new stand in consultation with the police and transport departments. Specific number of vehicles will be permitted to operate from each stand.
The move comes in the wake of a recent directive of the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court to the Corporation to consider a representation from A.Thirupathy, district president, Tiruchi District DMDK Thozhilalargal Sangam, seeking a direction to the civic body to allow its members to operate from the auto stands in the city.
The Corporation in 1999 had approved and notified over 90 auto stands in the city, but several unapproved auto stands have come in the city over the years. Many of them have come to occupy vantage road spaces, posing a traffic hindrance. There have been allegations that some unions are demanding money to allow new autos from their stands at different rates depending on the location. Mr.Thirupathy, in his petition before the court, said some trade unions have occupied the parking areas (autorickshaw stands) and did not allow any new entrant.
The High Court in its order had directed the Corporation to consider and pass appropriate orders on the representation of Mr.Thirupathy within four weeks.
The Corporation has also invited suggestions and expected changes from auto drivers, unions and autorickshaw owners.
The views and suggestions can be handed over in person or sent to the Commissioner, Tiruchi Corporation, Bharathidasan Salai, Tiruchi, before July 19, Commissioner V.P.Thandapani said in a press release.
