Police use both carrot and stick against auto drivers

KOLKATA: Drives against autos – across Jadavpur, Park Circus and Beadon Street – a most uncommon sight on common days was carried out by Kolkata traffic police sergeants after the Lalbazar top brass gave the go ahead to reign in the offenders. Though the drive did attract its fair share of animosity with auto drivers arguing with the cops at both Jadavpur and Park Circus, the cops stuck to their task.As a result, there were around 1300 challans against the autos across 25 traffic guards.
A quick comparison will paint the true picture. “On an usual month – for example, the Jorabagan traffic guard issues 3000 challans. In comparison, 7000 challans are issued by traffic sergeants against buses,” said a source. The top brass though have quickly realized that the stick cannot be implemented on a long term basis – especially with the Durga Puja around. “We have also contacted the auto drivers (read auto unions) and sought their help. We are holding workshops to point out their traffic flaws,” said DC (traffic) Solomon V Nesakumar.
Police sources said that the drive against the autos will continue but each guard has been asked to find out how many rules are usually broken by the autos on each particular road. “Both the INTTUC and CITU unions have promised to help us discipline the auto drivers. We are discussing the various violations they do – the most usual being dangerous driving, overloading and improper parking,” said a senior police officer. So what is the step ahead? Lalbazar is still trying to find an answer. For the time being, Lalbazar has decided to ask all traffic guards to start prosecutions by clicking photographs of the erring autos. “While they will send the list of erring drivers, we will send out the challan papers from the headquarters so that they are forced to pay the fines and cannot get away. All guards too have been instructed to keep in touch with the local police and sought any help when they crack the whip,” said a source.
DC Solomon pointed out that the fact that cops and ministers were being targeted – like the twin cases in front of Khadya Bhawan towards the end of last week - shows the police was no more ready to let them off. “We have instructed each guard to prepare a list of repeat offenders. Rather than branding each auto driver, we want to identify the trouble makers,” he said. In the longer run though, the sergeants in the traffic guards wants certain “rogue” routes – drivers from these routes have been found to indulge in arguments not only with passengers but even police – to be closely monitored and patrolling vehicles chasing them down if required.
A section of autos plying on Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road, B K Pal Avenue, Diamond Harbour, S C Mullick Road and MG Road have been found to be ill-tempered. Unofficial auto routes in various parts of south Calcutta compound the problem. "The latest is the Rajdanga-Aleya route," a transport department official said. "Others like Haltu-Dhakuria or Deshapriya Park-Lords technically cannot exist because of a high court order.