In a shocking revelation, Noida Police has found out that a majority of auto drivers in Noida do not have a valid driving licence. The matter came to light while assigning unique identification number to Noida auto drivers.
The police soon swung into action and informed the Transport Department and the District Magistrate about the alarming situation. District Magistrate NP Singh on Sunday called a meeting with officials of traffic and Transport Department and discussed the issue.
The Noida Police has, meanwhile, assigned unique identification numbers to 500 auto drivers in the first two days of the drive. Close to 9,000 auto-rickshaws would have to be assigned unique number which will have to be displayed in green and bold font on three sides of the vehicles.
Noida Superintendent of Police Dinesh Yadav said that most of the auto drivers were found plying without driving licence in the city. The police have not given them unique identification numbers.
“I was shocked to find out that half of the auto drivers have no driving licence. We have given UID numbers to only those auto drivers that had all documents while several auto drivers were returned since they had no valid driving licence. They have been notified and strictly told to not ply in Noida till they get a driving license,” Yadav told The Pioneer.
“The police teams have been numerically coding city autos and making a database of the drivers and their owners. The police teams take a copy of the registration certificate and a copy of driving licence and photograph.” Yadav added.
“The registered auto drivers will also have to wear uniforms and name plates on duty. The auto owners have also been told to provide them authorised letters that they have given their vehicles to the auto driver to ferry passengers in Noida,” said the SP City.
The District Magistrate directed to Regional Transport Authority (RTO) to ensure auto drivers get driving licence following proper procedure. “We have asked RTO to open a separate booth for auto drivers to ensure their driving licence registration by March 1. The traffic police and RTO have been told to conduct enforcement drive against such drivers in the twin cities Noida and Greater Noida,” NP Singh said.
An RTO official said that this is worrisome that a number of auto drivers do not have a valid Dl. “There are some auto drivers who do not have a local address. They are not issued a driving licence for lack of a valid identity proof. We have decided to open an exclusive counter at the RTO office from Monday. We will issue them learning licence. They will have to produce their relevant identification documents, when they come for permanent driving licences,” said Rachna Yaduvanshi, Assistance Regional Transport Officer (administration) Noida.
DM has also asked RTO to organise workshops for auto drivers by March 22 to sensitise them about the issues of overcharging or misbehaving with commuters and their safety and security.
The Noida police had launched the numeric coding system for Noida autos on Saturday in order to provide safety and security for women commuters and rein in auto-rickshaws drivers.