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CHENNAI: For Chennaii’tes, a
day without autorickshaws is unthinkable. In spite of
complaints (against auto drivers) of overcharging and
misbehaviour, the three-wheelers have become an integral part
of city life.
There are more than 45,000 autos in the city and the city
police always have a tough time managing these mini-vehicles,
which constantly try to manoeuvre through small gaps between
other vehicles during peak hours and consequently, create
traffic problems.
As the tussle between the police and auto drivers is an
ineluctable feature of city life, V Narayanan,
founder-president of the Indian National Organisation of
Developmental Action (INODA) decided to come out with a
magazine called Autokaran, which, according to him, would
help solve the problems that lead to police-auto driver
encounters.
Many, including traffic policemen, auto drivers and
consumers, have welcomed this initiative.
‘‘I do not know about the magazine as it was only launched a
day back. But I can tell you this will help us in
highlighting our problems and needs in a public forum,’’ said
Jaganathan, an auto driver at the KK Nagar auto stand.
Another driver, who did not want to be identified, complained
that the police had been harassing auto drivers on flimsy
pretexts.
‘‘Though I get only Rs 100 a day, I have to pay at least Rs
50 to policemen every day. Maybe I can raise my voice through
the magazine,’’ he said.
K Kumar, president of the Goodwill Auto Drivers Union, said,
‘‘I welcome this move and we will extend our full support to
achieve this magazine’s objectives. Our union has been
working for the betterment of auto drivers, besides
instilling them qualities like responsibility and making them
realise that they need the goodwill of the travelling public
all the time.’’
However, some auto drivers are not that unhappy with the
police.
‘‘I do not face much harassment from the police if I have all
my documents correct. They do not bother us just for getting
money, which is a good thing,’’ Puttu, an auto driver from
Ashok Nagar, said.
Dhamodhar, who is from the same auto stand, stood by his
friend’s comment.
‘‘We did not come to know about Autokaran. But if it can work
as a discussion forum between the police, auto drivers and
consumers, it will be helpful.’’
However, traffic policemen deny the charges of harassment.
‘‘I have changed my attitude towards policing. I want
accident-free roads in the city and traffic violations will
be dealt with. We welcome the new magazine, hoping that we
can air our views on safe driving and provide solutions to
the problems faced by auto drivers,’’ said R Natraj, who had
released the magazine on Saturday.
R Desikan, a consumer activist, said this magazine would work
as an interface between police, auto drivers and the general
public.
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