Bhubaneswar: The ambitious prepaid auto-rickshaw service in the twin cities that proved to be a flash in the pan is slowly going into oblivion, thanks to the apathy of the authorities. The initiative was introduced in Cuttack following a directive of the Orissa High Court over harassment of commuters and passengers by auto-rickshaw drivers in 2011.
The court asked the Commissionerate Police to begin prepaid auto-rickshaw service in the city. It also constituted a committee headed by the then Commissioner of Police, BK Sharma, for the introduction of the service in Cuttack.
A sub-committee had earlier suggested introduction of the system to check the menace of irrational fares being frequently charged by auto-rickshaw drivers in various cities, especially in Cuttack.
Following the directives of the court, two new prepaid counters were opened at Badambadi Bus Stand and SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack.
Subsequently, spurred by the success of the initiative in Cuttack, current Director General of Police and the then Commissioner of the twin cities RP Sharma launched the service in the Capital March 22, 2015. Three counters were opened at prominent places in the capital – Master Canteen, Baramunda bus stand and KIIT College area. Police officers at the railway stations were often found advising the commuters to avail the service of the auto-rickshaws registered with the prepaid service to avoid falling prey to the unscrupulous elements. Many auto-rickshaw drivers who are not registered with the prepaid service, in cohorts with the looters, rob gullible commuters at railway stations by offering them food or drinks spiked with psychotropic drugs.
However, all other counters barring the two at Cuttack railway station and one at Master Canteen have been almost closed down.
A cursory look at the prepaid counter at Baramunda bus stand will explain the indifference of the authorities towards the project. The counter is at an isolated place, adjacent to the drain that is being used as a toilet by the passengers waiting outside the bus stand.
Moreover, even if the commuters intended to avail of its service, they have to step on to a dilapidated and dangerous slab on the drain to reach the counter. One of the traffic cops who was on duty at the counter said that he had informed the authorities about the problem but no action had been taken.
Many students as well as the general commuters in KIIT area have not even heard about the prepaid service. The areas surrounding the counter at KIIT have turned into a public urinal place.
The prepaid counters at Badambadi bus stand and the SCB Medical College were also closed long ago.
While speaking on the issue, general secretary of Rajdhani Auto Mahasangha, Pradyumna Samal told Orissa POST, “The biggest impediment that stifled the scheme is the lack of publicity. You cannot find a single hoarding or any publicity material about the service. The service drew wide popularity in the capital during the initial years but the effect of the initiative later faded away after YB Khurania took charge as the commissioner of the twin city. Khurania perceived the scheme as a useless one and showed no interest in continuation of the same.”
“The scheme was started with the financial aid from the HDFC Bank and an auto-rickshaw company. However, Khurania refused to take the help of the bank and the company.”
Not a single meeting was held since the launching of the plan in the capital city. Similarly, a fund was created with `2 per ferry by the auto-rickshaw drivers. However, not a single penny was spent for the development of the auto-rickshaw owners or drivers from the fund.
Police Commissioner Satyajit Mohanty said, “It’s a good scheme and we had a discussion with all the stakeholders recently. We have planned for the restructuring of the scheme and are looking for a suitable place near Baramunda bus stand to shift the counter.”
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