Cabinet moots curbs on yellow tops in busy areas

Cabinet moots curbs on yellow tops in busy areas

AUTO STOP Majestic |Rajajinagar |Mysore Road |Corporation Ci Shivajinagar | K R Market |Basavanagudi | Chamarajpet |Swastic Circle

VIJAY TIMES NEWS

Bangaloreans living in the Central Business District (CBD) get ready to say good-bye to your convenient mode of transport. The State cabinet has proposed a ban on autorickshaws in the CBD, under the B-Trac 2010 project.

Though the cabinet decision does’t mention the areas where the ban will come into force, Rajajinagar, Mysore Road, Basavanagudi, Chamarajpet, Corporation Circle, Lalbagh Circle, Cubbon Park, Shivajinagar, K R Market, Swastik Circle are being mentioned.

Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) M N Reddi, said, “It would be incorrect to comment upon without knowing the cabinet decision.” However, he clarified, that the police department had not made any such proposal to the government.

BMTC Managing Director Upendra Tripathi, who has advocated a ban on autorickshaws in the CBD to ease the movement of BMTC buses, said he was unaware of the minutiae of the Cabinet proposal.

“So far, this kind of ban has been implemented in Mumbai and recently in Pune. If any such decision is implemented, BMTC is ready to operate more buses including mini-buses to help the public” he said.

M N Sreehari, traffic expert, said, “Before taking any decision, the government must think about providing intermediate transport immediately. If autorickshaws are banned, public will be put to a lot of hardship as they can’t take City Taxi’s for a higher fare. Only when the Metro rail starts operating, can the government think of a ban that too in a phased manner.” Coming down heavily on the move, Somashekar, president of Bangalore Auto Drivers’ Union told VVi ijja ayy TTi im meess : “It is impossible to ban autorickshaws. BMTC buses cannot take the public to their door steps or pick them up from their shopping points. The public will oppose move.” He added that if the autorickshaws are banned, all the unions in the City will enlist public support and go on strike.

Manjunath, president of Adarsha Autorickshaw Drivers’ Union said, “Ten years back, the government had come up with the same proposal, but it was not implemented due to the stiff opposition from auto unions. We are going to fight the latest move tooth and nail.”

Is the proposed ban on autos in busy areas a good idea? Will it ease congestion or will it put the livelihood of thousands in peril? Will it work or is it just too impractical? How will it affect you? Are you for it or against? Tell us.

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