A counter-productive ‘auto therapy’

When civic experts and citizens are screaming from the rooftops about increasing mass transportation systems to reduce traffic congestion, the state government has taken a populist step to generate employment by allowing permits for 40,000 more autorickshaws on the roads.

The screaming will not end. The protestors have gone blue in the face and the shade will change to red over this counterproductive decision, for the decision to allow so many more autorickshaws is preceding stringent corrective measures to ensure that the existing drivers are reined in and disciplined.

How do civic authorities and the traffic police expect to fix the situation with an additional burden when they have been unable to rectify the existing menace? Yes, menace! These three-wheeled little monsters are nothing short of that.

First, the very structure of an autorickshaw is not conducive for safe driving on the already dangerous roads. An autorickshaw tapers towards the front, which means that the drivers do not get a clear vision of the vehicles in the rear-view mirrors. Drivers often first turn a little to get a clearer vision, thus causing accidents as they come in the way of vehicles trying to overtake them. There have been countless two-wheeler riders who have sustained injuries due to this. In Mumbai, autos have been banned in the main city area. But here, nobody cares.

Second, autorickshaw drivers flout anti-pollution norms. The problem has been addressed partially with LPG cylinders being made mandatory for autos. But nobody is bothered about the noise pollution caused by autos. If you stand by a busy road, most of the irritating engine noises emanate from autorickshaws. Imaging how much quieter Bangalore would be if autos were off the roads. Instead, they plan to add to the chaos.

Third, autorickshaw drivers have a long way to go in learning what driving on city roads is about. They are rash and think that the roads were built only for them, and that other motorists are there merely by default. They assume themselves to be kings of the roads. Besides, if they are not rash, they obstruct smooth flow of traffic on narrower roads because drivers crawl at snail’s pace in search of commuters, slowing down movement along the roads.

Fourth, drivers are rude to commuters and often refuse to take commuters to their choice of destinations.

Fifth, and most important, they charge commuters according to their whims. Very few drivers follow the fare-on-meter norm at night hours, often ordering hapless commuters to pay bulk amounts that go more than double the fare.

Who is to rein in these drivers then? The traffic police, some years ago, suggested that commuters take down details to complain about drivers refusing to take commuters to their choice of destination, or about those who behave rudely.

But nothing has come of it. Instead, the problem only seems to have aggravated with a noticeable increase in the errant behaviour of drivers.

The civic agencies have improved bus service in the city. Why are they destroying the efforts that have gone into this improvement by allowing 40,000 additional autorickshaws on the city roads that would take their total number to 1.2 lakh?

Will someone come up with a satisfactory answer please?