The Hindu

• We may even issue 5,000 additional permits, says official
• The move follows complaints of excess fares being charged by some drivers
• Authorities have intensified action against violations of rules by autorickshaws

Mangalore, Nov 15: The Regional Transport Authority (RTA) is considering permitting more autorickshaws for the city. Deputy Commissioner M. Maheshwar Rao, who is also the ex-officio chairman of the RTA, told The Hindu on Friday that there was a demand to liberalise grant of autorickshaw permits in Mangalore.

Although he did not specify the number of vehicles to be permitted, Mr. Rao said that a minimum of 2,000 more autorickshaws might be given permits. “Depending on the demand and the public response, even 5,000 permits may be issued,” he said.

The last time the RTA issued permits to autorickshaw owners was over ten years ago in 1997. Traffic congestion and welfare of autorickshaw-owners and drivers have been the reasons for which the authorities are reluctant to issue new permits here. “Greater competition will reduce the profitability of owners and drivers,” said Mangalore Regional Transport Officer Afzal Ahmed Khan. But repeated complaints of “bad behaviour” by autorickshaw drivers have probably prompted a rethink. Mr. Rao said that autorickshaw drivers and owners had developed a monopolistic attitude. “They make use of this monopoly to squeeze more money out of hapless commuters,” he said.

Welcoming the move P. Harish, an unemployed youth, said: “If the authorities start giving more permits, I will be really happy.” Stating that there was a flourishing black market for autorickshaw permits, he said that one permit could cost up to Rs. 1 lakh. He said that banks were willing to advance loan to him for a new vehicle on hire-purchase basis. But, no bank would give a loan for buying permits in the black market, he added.

Suresh Kumar, driver, said that most auto-drivers wanted to be honest but could not be so because of pressure from owners. “Owners have permits and they rent out the vehicle to us at exorbitant rates. To pay the rent, we have to sometimes use unfair means,” he said. According to him if the drivers are given permits, the stranglehold of owners can be broken. The RTA has launched a drive against errant auto drivers. In a recent series of raids, the authorities have seized 12 autorickshaws from the Central Railway Station area. In a press release, Mr. Khan has stated that the seized autorickshaws had been incapacitated and would be released only after 15 days. The permits of the owners and drivers too had been cancelled for 15 days. The authorities had received several complaints that drivers were charging excess fare, particularly from areas such as Central Railway Station, KSRTC bus stop in Bejai, Mulki Railway station and Kankanady Railway station. “Passengers may bring such violations to the notice of the RTO at A.B. Shetty Circle or register complaints with the Pandeshwar Police,” he said.