Women special pink auto owners and drivers continue to struggle to get the desired support from district administration and the Ranchi Municipal Corporation. The communication gap is noticed since the launch of the service in February 2014. As the owners are trying to extend their route on nine new routes from March 12, the agony of these auto drivers again draws attention. Presently, around 23 pink autos are running from Argora Chowk to Overbridge and from Ranchi Railway station. Most of the lady drivers are devoid of light Motor Vehicle (lMV) licence and none of their autos have received Road Permit from the concerned authorities.
Controller of the Pink Autos, Shamim Akhtar said, “We will begin the pink auto service in routes covering Doranda, lalpur, Kantatoli, Ratu Road and Hatia Railway Station from Albert Ekka Chowk on Thursday. We hope to get the concerned administrative officers’ cooperation.” “We will be grateful to the government if they implement CM’s recent announcement of making license for women at free of cost as majority of our drivers have learner’s license but fail to get regular ones,” Shamim added.
Meanwhile, Road Transport Authority (RTA) Secretary RK Barwar informed that they have received the invitation and are unable to approve it. “All the pink autos are running without permit. It is unauthorized. Moreover, they have never written us for sanctioning their permit. Else, I would have personally consulted the RTA Commissioner and helped them,” pointed out Barwar.
The Traffic Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) RK Choudhary felt women special autos on the new routes might create tension. “We have not received orders from our seniors regarding new route sanction for the pink autos. In such circumstances, the owners cannot begin the service. Reports published in the media cannot confirm that the district administration has approved the recent plan of pink autos. Official papers are required for the sanction,” said Choudhary.
Similarly, Deputy Commissioner Manoj Kumar and Traffic SP Kartik S confirmed no proposal for pink autos or their drivers has been framed. The new routes include auto service from Albert Ekka Chowk to lowadih, lalpur, Doranda Hospital, Piska More and Overbridge. Four Autos on reserved basis will also be started from Hatia station from this date onwards. Among the 23 autos seen on the road, most of the autos have been purchased by the lady drivers on the basis of loan. Akhtar said 20 more drivers are learning the driving skills at Patel Maidan who along with these 23 ladies well be seen driving the autos in the new routes.
The drivers seem unsure about the new route announcement. “We hope that the plan of extending the auto-routes turns true. It will increase our income. Our boss has not informed the date of beginning the new service. Government should come forward as the demand of women passengers is increasing,” said auto drivers Pinky and Usha. Another driver Sunita Devi said after the tussle between initial pink auto drivers with Rajmani Property Private limited which used to look after the management, drivers have formed two groups.
“The ones who have purchased the autos are driving and not allowing us to drive. They have also snatched our vehicle documents. Unless, they do not return us the papers, we will remain unemployed,” added Sunita. Interestingly, similar auto service had commenced in Garhwa in January wherein the district administration is providing adequate support to the drivers and their autos. Garhwa DSP Sriram Samad said all the pink auto drivers have received their licenses and the administration is always ready to help them in all terms.