5000 more autos to invade city

5000 more autos to invade city
Vijay Times

THE City roads, which are already witnessing traffic jams, will soon have 5,000 more auto rickshaws to add to the chaos.

According to a state government circular dated Jan 12, 2006, the City’s T ransport Authority can now issue permits to 5,000 new autos to ply on the City’s roads.

The circular said the IT sector had been growing rapidly and as a result, more and more people were migrating to the City in search of jobs and to pursue studies.

It claimed that the move was necessary to provide cheap transport facilities to the people and to control environment pollution.

"If 5,000 new autos are permitted, it will meet the demands of the people as well as be a source of livelihood for the unemployed youth," it said.

However, the auto unions have opposed this move. Speaking to BVT , Somashekar, president, Bangalore Auto Drivers Association, said new permits were not necessary as Bangalore had already more than 75,000 autos and the addition of extra autos would make life difficult for the existing drivers.

"If more autos are added, it will create chaos. W e did not ask for this, neither do we want this. This circular was issued because of the lobby of auto dealers, kit manufacturers and financiers," he alleged.

"This circular will only help financers from neighbouring states make easy money . The financers will make money by taking permits and selling it to gullible drivers through their sub agents, especially in and around the areas of Kalasipalyam and Shivajinagar ," he claimed.

"Why were the auto unions not consulted before issuing such a circular ," he asked.

"Already , the T ransport Department and the T raffic police are contemplating the move to ban the entry of autos within a five km radius from the Kempegowda bus stand. Now , if 5,000 more autos are permitted to ply , then imagine what will be our condition." H G Sreenivas Murthy , president, Auto rickshaw Drivers Union (R) CITU, said the government was committing a mistake by issuing these permits.

"Some big auto dealers are responsible for initiating this move," he alleged.

Gaiban Sharif, secretary , Bajaj Bangalore Auto Drivers Association, said the government should not give open permits as it would not reach the real beneficiaries.

The permits should be given through various corporations like the Karnataka Backward Classes Development Corporation (KBCDC), he urged.