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Traffic violations by private buses and autorickshaws

Rajesh Nair

It is high time the authorities come out with a solution, say residents Though onus of enforcing rule lies with traffic police and transport department, school authorities feel parents are also to be blamed

— Photo: T. Singaravelou

PRECARIOUS PERCH: People travelling on the roof of a private bus on the ECR.

PONDICHERRY: School students sandwiched between their bags slung on both sides of autorickshaws and people travelling on the roofs of crowded private buses have become the order of the day in Pondicherry.

Permits are given to autorickshaws under the Pondicherry Motor Vehicle Rule, 1989, for only carrying three adults or six children. But a large number of autorickshaw drivers violate this rule and carry about 10 to 11 students. One can even see students seated beside the driver.

Autorickshaws are unstable vehicles and if overloaded could pose danger, admits a transport department officer.

Though the onus of enforcing the rule lies with the traffic police and transport department, the school authorities feel that parents are also to be blamed for the traffic rule violation.

It is learnt that some of the private schools have told the parents not to send their wards in crowded autorickshaws.

"In spite of warnings about the dangers and reports appearing in the media of accidents involving overcrowded autorickshaws, children are allowed to travel in packed autorickshaws," says a teacher.

A survey conducted by the Transport Department shows that at least 10 autorickshaws carrying students to each school violated the norms on an average.

The violations are more rampant in schools situated in Uppalam and MG Road areas where a majority of private schools are located.

When contacted, Vijayasundaram, SP Traffic, said several cases had been booked. He said even parents were warned on several occasions.

When it was pointed out that such violations were prevalent even now, he said, "action will be taken."

Of late, another traffic violation that has been frequently seen is commuters travelling on roofs of private buses. It has become a common sight along the East Coast Road, Thirukanur-Pathukannu-Pondicherry, Mailam-Sederapet-Pondicherry routes. While some travel because of non-availability of buses or overcrowding or don't have the time to wait for the next one, others just travel for fun. Whatever the reason it is a dangerous ride.

The rules do not permit even standing passengers in buses plying outside the town limit. Only 56 persons are allowed to travel in a bus. However, buses plying within the town are allowed to take 15 passengers standing.

The officers in the Transport Department point out that every five minutes there is a passenger bus during peak hours and one every 15 minutes during other times.

The buses are crowded mostly between 7 a.m. and 7.30 a.m. and then again after 6 p.m. Transport Department officials say it's difficult to increase the frequency of services during peak hours.

It is high time the authorities come out with a solution and stop this dangerous rides before any major tragedy occurs, says a commuter, who travels frequently along the ECR.

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