The Hindu 17.07.2013
Corporation to regulate auto stands
City to be classified into different zones depending on availability of space, requirement
The Tiruchirapalli City Corporation has convened a
meeting with the autorickshaw drivers and drivers unions on Saturday to
take forward its decision to streamline and regulate autorickshaw stands
in the city.
The civic body proposes to classify the
city into different zones and grant permission for autorickshaw stands
depending on availability of space and public requirement.
Apart
from eliciting the views of the drivers and unions on the issue at the
meeting, the Corporation has also planned to distribute applications to
drivers and unions separately to register themselves to operate from
existing auto stands or the ones that are to be notified afresh. The
Corporation plans to approve new stand in consultation with the police
and transport departments. Specific number of vehicles will be permitted
to operate from each stand.
The move comes in the
wake of a recent directive of the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court
to the Corporation to consider a representation from A.Thirupathy,
district president, Tiruchi District DMDK Thozhilalargal Sangam, seeking
a direction to the civic body to allow its members to operate from the
auto stands in the city.
The Corporation in 1999 had
approved and notified over 90 auto stands in the city, but several
unapproved auto stands have come in the city over the years. Many of
them have come to occupy vantage road spaces, posing a traffic
hindrance. There have been allegations that some unions are demanding
money to allow new autos from their stands at different rates depending
on the location. Mr.Thirupathy, in his petition before the court, said
some trade unions have occupied the parking areas (autorickshaw stands)
and did not allow any new entrant.
The High Court in
its order had directed the Corporation to consider and pass appropriate
orders on the representation of Mr.Thirupathy within four weeks.
The Corporation has also invited suggestions and expected changes from auto drivers, unions and autorickshaw owners.
The
views and suggestions can be handed over in person or sent to the
Commissioner, Tiruchi Corporation, Bharathidasan Salai, Tiruchi, before
July 19, Commissioner V.P.Thandapani said in a press release.