Bhubaneswar: The notice issued by the Commissionerate Police regarding the new auto bays and auto stands have been welcomed by all barring some minor resentments by auto owners in the city. The Commissionerate Police, in its bid to ensue smooth flow of traffic in the city, has prohibited auto-rickshaws from picking passengers haphazardly. The autos usually stop right in the middle of the road to pick up commuters which sometimes leads to road mishaps.
The Commissionerate Police designated several spots as auto stands and auto bays at three bustling areas of the city where the autos can park their vehicles and also pick up commuters. Police also mentioned about the collection of fines from the autos which are found violating the instructions.
The Commissioner of Police Sudhanshu Sarangi held a long discussion with the members of city auto union at his office, Sunday.
Speaking to Orissa POST, Bapi, an auto rickshaw owner said, “We will suffer severe losses due to the prohibition till people get used to the system. People prefer autos to buses only because of the fact that they can avail the service while waiting anywhere in the city.”
Another auto owner who was a part of the delegation of auto union during the deliberations told OP that the decision of the Commissionerate Police is good in view of the rising traffic problems in the city but their concerns should have been considered too.
Nirupama Choudhry, a working woman, hailed the decision and said that it is definitely going to help commuters as well as the pedestrians as auto-rickshaws would not engage in risky driving.