Siliguri, May 30: The state
transport department has decided to replace eight-seater autorickshaws
in Siliguri with Tata Magic cars as the former is a major source of air
and noise pollution.
Madan
Bhattacharya, a member of the state transport authority (STA) that
functions under the transport department, said the decision would be
implemented only after talks with drivers, police and other
stakeholders.
Siliguri and the
surrounding areas have around 1,200 eight-seater three-wheelers, which
are called “city autos.” The town also has smaller autorickshaws which
can carry three passengers, but they won’t be withdrawn from the roads.
“The STA has
decided that the autorickshaws which ply on routes in and around
Siliguri will be withdrawn. In June, the STA will hold a meeting with
drivers, police and all other stakeholders to discuss the matter. The
autorickshaws will be replaced by Tata Magic cars ( maxi cabs) which can
carry eight passengers,” said Bhattacharya.
“We want to make
it clear that the interests of autorickshaw owners and drivers will be
taken care of. The owners who have permits to run autorickshaws on
different routes would have the option to buy maxi cabs and run them on
the same routes,” he said.
According to Bhattacharya, there are certain areas outside the town, where autorickshaws are not available.
“Most of the
eight-seater autorickshaws have surpassed longevity and pollute the
environment because of excessive smoke emission,” Bhattacharya said.
“The drivers
regularly misbehave with passengers and drop them midway. There are
instances when drivers have assaulted passengers and even traffic
policemen,” said Harish Dutta, a marketing professional in Siliguri.
The representatives of the autorickshaw owners’ said they were yet to be told about the decision to withdraw the vehicles.(TT)