In a decisive move to decongest city roads, the Ranchi transport and traffic departments have issued a stern one-week ultimatum to auto-rickshaw and e-rickshaw associations. The authorities have mandated the removal of all unauthorized parking, particularly at busy road crossings, warning of strict action under the Motor Vehicle Act if the order is not complied with.
Key Directives from High-Level Meeting
The directive was delivered during a crucial meeting held on Tuesday. Senior officials, including SP (Traffic) Rakesh Singh and District Transport Officer Ahilesh Kumar, met with representatives from various auto and e-rickshaw unions to communicate the government's order. The administration has set a clear deadline of one week for the associations to self-regulate and prevent their members from parking illegally at intersections, which often causes major traffic snarls.
Elaborating on the decision, SP Rakesh Singh revealed another significant mandate. All auto-rickshaws and e-rickshaws must now display the names and mobile numbers of both the driver and the owner prominently on the front and back of the vehicles. "This step is designed to increase accountability. It will deter drivers from behaving rudely with passengers or engaging in any criminal activity within the city," Singh explained. This measure was finalized after the unions reportedly did not agree to an initial proposal of having these details printed on the drivers' uniforms.
Route Rationalization and Uniform Code
The administration's plan extends beyond parking. To streamline operations, authorities have requested the associations to provide comprehensive data on the number of vehicles plying on various routes. This data will be used to rationalize operations by potentially diverting vehicles from oversaturated areas to less-served ones. Furthermore, the administration plans to officially fix and assign specific routes for each auto and e-rickshaw.
In a bid to bring formalization and uniformity, the administration has also reinforced the implementation of a dress code. Auto-rickshaw drivers have been instructed to wear khaki uniforms, while e-rickshaw drivers must adopt a blue uniform. The officials have also sought the opinions of the associations on several other proposals aimed at better regulating city traffic, giving them a two-week window to submit their feedback.
Union Response and Cooperation
Reacting to the new directives, union representatives present at the meeting signaled a cooperative stance. Dinesh Soni, founder of the Jharkhand Pradesh CNG Auto Chalak Mahasangh, stated, "We will cooperate with the administration to improve traffic movement in the state capital. We have been given two weeks to provide our opinions on the various proposals, and we will do so." This suggests a collaborative approach between the regulators and the unions to tackle Ranchi's persistent traffic woes.
The combined measures—targeting illegal parking, enforcing vehicle identification, standardizing uniforms, and planning route rationalization—represent a comprehensive crackdown by the Ranchi administration. The success of this initiative hinges on effective implementation within the stipulated deadlines and the sustained cooperation of the powerful auto-rickshaw and e-rickshaw unions operating in the city.
