More isn't merrier

Commuters, traffic experts voice concern over transport commissioner's decision to introduce another 40,000 auto-rickshaws on city roads

The state transport commissioner's decision to introduce another 40,000 auto-rickshaws on city roads doesn't seem to have gone well with the commuters, traffic experts and even the auto associations. The government should rethink their decision. We already have about 30,000 autos plying illegally in the city. Besides, Metro rail service will also be launched soon. Where's the need for more autos?" questioned traffic expert M N Sreehari.


Five year plan: The new auto-rickshaws will be introduced in phases
and it will take about 5 years for the 40,000 autos to take on the city
streets. File pic

He added that the transport commissioner's decision only adds to the traffic woes faced by the Bangaloreans. Likewise, commuters too say that adding more vehicles on the streets in no solution to the present problems being faced. "Instead of introducing more autos, the department should concentrate on regulating existing ones. More autos on city roads will just add to the chaos," said Rupal Seth, senior marketing manager with a city-based cable firm who uses autos for his daily commute.
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Meanwhile, other commuters said that the government should encourage people to use car-pooling and public transport services. Sahil Gupta, an engineer with Renesas Mobile Corporation, said, "More autos will only deter people from using public transport. Besides, it will result into more traffic, panic, accidents and impatient driving."

However, Bhaskar Rao, transport commissioner, said that the proposal for a new RTO, especially for auto-rickshaws, has also been sanctioned and the department will introduce 40,000 new autos soon. "Where does the question of cluttering the streets arise? We will not put 40,000 autos on the street at one go. It will take five years for the total number to be on the road," said Rao.

Whereas Manjunath, president of Adarsha Auto Drivers Association, said that more autos are needed as the city has now been extended to 197 wards.u00a0"Why are people against the autos? If cluttering the streets is an issue, then one should cut down on two-wheelers and private cars, as they outnumber autos in the city," he said.

1.25 lakh Approximate number of autos, both registered and unregistered, that ply on city roads