WB Govt to enforce stringent auto policy soon: WB minister

Unhappy with the irregularities in current auto-rickshaws norms in the state capital and adjoining areas, West Bengal government will bring this mode of transport under a stringent policy.

"A four-member task force led by a special secretary of the transport department has already been set up by the state government to look into the matter and enforce a stringent auto policy," state Transport Minister Suvendu Adhikari told PTI here today.

"Problems related to operations of both auto-rickshaws and Totos (battery operated rickshaws) are a sub-judice matter," he said.

"The task force has already drawn up its strategy on regulating these modes of transport. After it submits its report to the ministry, we shall take legal opinion from the High Court to enforce the policy," he said.
 

Shocked over the death of a 20-year-old college student in a collision between an auto-rickshaw and a bus in north Kolkata yesterday, Adhikari stresses on the need of such a stringent policy immediately for safety of passengers.

Pooja Pal (20), a second year student of S A Jaipuria College, died on the spot while four others including the driver of the auto-rickshaw were seriously injured when the vehicle they were riding in violated the stop signal and hit a bus coming from the other side at Arabindo Sarani and Raja Dinendra Street crossing.

"This is an example of irregularity. So many examples are there... Thus, we had set up a task force earlier and are now awaiting its report on policy guidelines which will be sent for legal opinion before implementing them," Adhikari said.

"A majority of auto rickshaws are operating illegally. They should be brought under stringent policy. The operation of Totos will also be brought under strict regulation," the minister said.

With the enforcement of strict regulations, some unauthorised vehicles of these modes of transport might be regularised, but many other would be declared "permanently unauthorised", Adhikari said.