Action is finally being taken to regulate the autorickshaw trade. Unlike cities such as Chennai, Tiruvannamalai rickshaws neither use meters to standardize fares or comply properly with regulations regarding overloading.
However, this Friday, August 11, 52 auto rickshaws were booked near the Easanya Lingam (east side) in Tiruvannamalai for overloading vehicles with excessive numbers of school children on their way to school.
Auto rickshaws are designed for a maximum of three (small size) passengers at the back of the vehicle with the driver sitting solo in the front. But in many cases drivers have been ferrying children to school mornings and evenings cramming over 20 kids willy-nilly into the vehicle.
Fortunately authorities have now decided this perilous situation needs to be addressed and have started to take the necessary steps to ensure the safety and well being of local school kids.
Next let us hope the authorities start insisting drivers install and USE meters thereby standardizing fares!
1 comment:
Wow, this is big news! It is indeed very dangerous for so many kids (and even adults!) to be packed on rickshaws. I have heard news stories before, of people getting seriously injured, even fatully, due to Wow, this is big news! It is indeed very dangerous for so many kids (and even adults!) to be packed on rickshaws. All of us who have lived in India, have seen the common sight of numerous kids packed and hanging out of the doors of rickshaws (with book bags swaying in the wind outside the auto itself). I have heard news stories before, of people getting seriously injured, even fatally, due to overcrowded, heavily loaded rickshaws. I wonder if any such incident inspired the local authorities to take action? I hope such action will be enforced in other places in India as well.
Post a Comment