Visakhapatnam: Reckless driving by auto-rickshaw drivers and unmindful approach of the public in stopping autos randomly anywhere on the road add to the traffic chaos in the city.
“Auto drivers park vehicles anywhere on the road to pick passengers. We face problem and meet with accidents as the auto-rickshaws do not follow traffic rules,” said Rukmini, an MBA student.
“Auto drivers change lanes at their wish. We get confused and meet with accidents due to their fault,” said Srilatha, an AU student. Besides, the auto-rickshaws carry passengers in excessive numbers unmindful of the risk to their lives,” she added.
However, a senior citizen felt differently and said: “It is the fault of public as they try to halt the autos anywhere according to their convenience.”
Besides, the district administration had banned the entry of auto-rickshaws, especially the 7-seaters, into the city from rural pockets in order to check the increasing traffic chaos, but in vain.
According to the RTA, only 8,200 autos were registered with city permits and not a single fresh permit granted from 2002. However, about 25,000 autos are plying in the city at present.
Additional DCP (Traffic) K.M. Patrudu told they are struggling to curb the menace due to poor co-operation from the RTA officials and no proper directions from district administration.
