With the colour-coding plan of auto rickshaws yet to take off, the Delhi Traffic Police have come up with a simpler alternative. The police have mooted a proposal to install roof lights on the lines of taxis on top of auto rickshaws. When lit, the roof bar will indicate that the auto is available for hire.
Traffic police said that they are examining the proposal and will forward it to the Transport Department by next week. "Modalities, such as the size of the bar, text and colour of the light, are being examined for the proposal. Once this is finalised, the responsibility to bear the cost for the installation will have to be fixed. Also, it has to be decided whether the installation of the roof lights be made mandatory by making them as part of permit conditions or should they be optional," said Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Anil Shukla.
He added that since the colour-coding of autos is yet to be implemented, this could be another option. "The idea is to make it clear whether the auto is available for hire. The colour-coding proposal, which was sent in February, is yet to be implemented," added the Additional CP.
Traffic police had earlier sent a proposal to the Transport Department to colour-code the autos. This was done in order to keep a check on auto drivers, who refuse to ferry passengers, especially during evening and late in the night. As part of the policy, it was decided that the city will be divided into six zones with different colours indicating a particular zone, where the auto is heading. According to the policy the autos heading in the same direction as the passenger, they cannot refuse them.