NELLORE: In a bid to minimise the number of accidents, as many as four coastal villages of Kavali mandal of Nellore district have adopted a novel way of banning autorickshaws besides taking a decision to travel only by buses run by the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC).

With the number of road accidents increasing day-by-day due to travelling by autorickshaws, four coastal villages -- Venkateswarapuram, Lakshmipuram, Adinarayanapuram and Anjaneyapuram -- have imposed a ban on plying of autorickshaws. Moreover, the villagers mostly fishermen, have passed a resolution to impose a fine of Rs. 5,000 against those, who violate the norm.

Travelling by autorickshaws has become an integral part of many villages they charge very less when compared to APSRTC buses for a trip that even takes them to their doorsteps. And their regular frequency coupled with the inclination to pick up passengers even in the middle of the route has become a convenient option for many.

Especially after the APSRTC discontinuing its services to many villages, autorickshaws have almost become a part and parcel of villagers' lives. And many villages seem to be in the grip of autorickshaws, which have invaded in the district.

But they have been in the thick of controversy after a couple of ghastly road accidents. Given this backdrop, the villagers have decided against travelling by this mode of transport and have requested the APSRTC to run buses with regular frequency to these villages, said a senior official of the Corporation.

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