Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, SEP 24 (NPN): Dimapur District Auto Drivers’ Union (DDADU) has warned auto-rickshaw drivers against using duplicate or proxy display cards, reckless driving, overloading and charging fares beyond the rates fixed by the union.
Addressing a press conference on the issues concerning auto-rickshaw operations, DDADU president Tito Yepthomi said the union had met with the police department and discussed at length on the proper use of display cards. He alleged that in some cases, one person obtains a display card while three to four drivers used the same card.
Yepthomi urged the police to check for duplication and proxy use of display cards, stating that offenders could be fined as per the law. He also appealed to auto owners to ensure that display cards were properly pasted on their vehicles.
On traffic violations, he said the union had received numerous complaints against auto drivers for rush and reckless driving as well as line-breaking.
While acknowledging that four-wheelers and two wheelers also commit such violations, he said most complaints received were against auto-rickshaws.
He also urged drivers to follow traffic discipline, citing Mizoram as an example.
He informed that the union, along with police, would check adherence to designated lines at strategic locations and warned that if drivers were caught violating the rules, the DDADU would not entertain complaints on their behalf.
On passenger pick-up and dropping, Yepthomi said drivers had been advised not to carry more than three passengers for petrol auto-rickshaws and warned that police would impose penalties for overloading.
He also instructed drivers against making sudden turns to pick up passengers and cautioned against overloading in diesel auto-rickshaws, stating that such practices could lead to accidents.
Yepthomi also appealed to Deputy Commissioner (DC) and District Transport Officer (DTO) to look into the increasing number of vehicles and called for “assurance certificate” to be limited and properly verified to help minimise traffic congestion.
He further reiterated that wearing the prescribed uniform and displaying display card would be mandatory for auto drivers, irrespective of whether they were local or non-local.
Yepthomi apologised to passengers on behalf of auto drivers for instances of drivers demanding fares above the prescribed rates.
He warned drivers to strictly follow the fares fixed by the DDADU and said action would be taken against those violating the rates.
On charging of extra rates, the president said that passengers with grievances could contact the number provided by the union in authorised line parking areas, adding that DDADU office remained open to address complaints.
He also appealed to passengers to check whether drivers were wearing prescribed uniform and displaying the required card.
On drunk driving and driving under influence of drugs, Yepthomi issued a stern warning, saying the union would seize such vehicles and hand them over to the police for legal action.
On the collection of money from drivers by the Union, he clarified that drivers voluntarily come to the union office and make payments, which were used for paying staff salaries, maintaining office and assisting drivers during times of need.
Asked on the recent fire incident in Dimapur in which several auto-rickshaws were reportedly destroyed and hundreds of drivers rendered homeless, Yepthomi informed that DDADU would stand with the affected drivers and approach DTO to explore ways to help them qualify using available documentation or photocopies.
He also said the union would approach DC for assistance and would make every effort to help the affected drivers, including in matters related to Inner Line Permit (ILP), wherever required.