The Hindu : Front Page : Autorickshaws impounded, drivers take to road

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Oct 12, 2007
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Autorickshaws impounded, drivers take to road

Staff Reporter

— Photo: B. Jothi Ramalingam

REACTION: A section of autorickshaw and share-autorickshaw drivers blocking road in Vyasarpadi on Thursday.

CHENNAI: Around 400 autorickshaws, including share-autorickshaws, were impounded in a joint drive, launched across the city over the past five days by the police and the Transport Department against drivers demanding excess fare. The action also followed complaints of rash driving and overloading.

On Thursday, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Sunil Kumar said digital fare meters had not been fitted in many vehicles, even after adequate time was given. Though several vehicles were fitted with digital meters, the drivers demanded more than the prescribed fare.

Based on complaints from the public, the police initiated the action and would continue the drive.

As regards the share autorickshaws, the vehicles operated on routes not covered under their permit, Mr. Kumar said.

Demonstration

The move, however, did not go down well with a group of autorickshaw drivers. About 40 drivers resorted to a road blockade on Erukkancheri High Road in Vyasarpadi on Thursday, condemning police action. They complained that in a few vehicles certain components went missing after they were impounded.

The drivers said the penalty imposed on the vehicles was high.

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