Hyderabad: Autorickshaw drivers unions are demanding that the government lift the restriction on registration of new three-wheelers, something which traffic and transport experts support but with riders.

“In cities like Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru the movement of autorickshaws is restricted and the same can be followed in Hyderabad with a strict rule to allow only LPG and CNG three-wheelers. The government should first ensure that adequate CNG refilling stations are set up,” said Engineering Staff College of India former director-general Nagabhushan Rao.

Traffic expert Molugaran Kumar of Osmania University said the drivers should be trained to be courteous with the passengers. The government should get a study conducted on the routes on which autorickshaws should be restricted.

While the registration of new autorickshaws is restricted, the government has allowed up to 40,000 new vehicles on demand from unions. The restrictions were imposed to check pollution and traffic chaos created by the autorickshaws.
The union leaders say that a large number of vehicles registered prior to 2002 need to be replaced.

“There is a need to phase them out and allow registration of new autorickshaws,” said Telangana Auto Drivers Samakhya and Auto Unions JAC leader A. Sathi Reddy.

JAC demands release of seized vehicles

Leaders of the Joint Action Committee of Telangana autorickshaw drivers have demanded that the traffic police and transport officials release all seized vehicles and ban app-based cab services such as Ola and Uber that do not follow fare meter mandated by the government.

JAC leader Md Amanullah Khan said the autorickshaws were seized in the name of traffic rule and permit violation. He wanted the government to share 50 per cent of the third party autorickshaw insurance as subsidy.