Over 9,000 auto-rickshaws were 'challaned' by the Delhi Traffic Police for overloading in the last five years but no such action was taken against any school van for the same offence in the national capital.
According to an RTI reply by the traffic police, 365 'gramin seva' vehicles, which usually ply in rural areas, were challaned from 2012 to 2016, and 13 challans were issued to RTVs (mini buses) during the same period.
The RTI was filed by one Ram Chand, a resident of Tughlakabad Extension area, seeking the number of challans for overloading issued to various public vehicles including DTC buses, autos, gramin seva services and RTVs from 2012 to 2016.
9,387 auto-rickshaws were challaned for overloading from 2012 to 2016. Police said no DTC bus was challaned for the same offence.
As per the laid down rules, an auto-rickshaw only can ferry three persons at a time, but auto drivers could be seen ferrying four to six passengers in some parts of the city.
However, the Delhi Autorickshaw Sangh has alleged that drivers of the vehicles are "targeted" by the police.
Rajendra Soni, the general secretary of the body, said school vans overloaded with children could be seen plying in in several areas in the national capital, but no challan had been issued against them during the last five years.
"In comparison to other vehicles, most challans were issued to auto-rickshaws during 2012-2016. We are targeted and our union has planned to take up the matter with the Centre," Soni said.
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