Auto drivers come under scanner post Manipal incident

The incident has made us think twice before hiring an auto, say citizens

The aftermath of Manipal gang rape incident has surfaced reservations, fears and suspicions in the minds of people and also the need for stringent safety measures.

The incident not only focused over the lapse of security aspects, besides it also raised qualms over the degree of credibility between the auto-drivers and their clients. The issue has made every woman and girl in town to think twice before hiring an auto. The entire auto-driver clan is seen suspiciously. 

When contacted Vani Selvaraj, an elderly woman told Deccan Herald that the incident has created fear in the minds of citizens. “I always hire an auto and I blindly trust the auto-drivers as I felt that they would drop us safely to our destinations. I know all auto-drivers are not bad. However, the fear makes us to think before hiring an auto especially while going alone,” she added.

Pallavi Sherigar, a student studying in Heeriyadka Government College said, “I will never go alone in the auto-rickshaw henceforth. This incident has made us to suspect the auto-drivers and their behavior. What is the guarantee that they will reach us safely to our home. My house is in a remote area. I would hire auto sometimes when I was late from the college. Hereafter I would not," she tells.

On the other hand, the in-campus tragic event has also made the auto-drivers fraternity to bow their head out of shame for no guilt of theirs. Suresh Achari, who runs the auto in Udupi-Manipal says, “we are committed to our profession. However, the incident has brought some changes in the perspectives of people on auto-drivers. This may not go for more days as the autos are essential part of the transport system.

But a black mole on the credibility of auto-drivers has been formed, following the incident. The culprits should be punished severely," he said expressing his anguish.
The incident which brought the fame to the city in negative sense has also made the police department to contemplate over bringing in stringent rules and regulations to monitor the auto-rickshaws in the district.

ADDS system

SP Boralingaiah M B told that the department is planning to introduce ADDS (Auto Rickshaw Drivers Display System) that sketch out the details of the auto-driver in the display card behind the auto-drivers seat so that the commuters can see it. The details comprising auto-drivers name, contact number and address, the driver’s blood group, the vehicle registration number, DL number, batch number and so on will be displayed. Besides, the display card will have driver’s photograph. The system of displaying identity cards was introduced by the Bangalore Traffic Police in 2006.

There are also plans to introduce unique code system that will enable the department to track the auto-rickshaws.

"Everything is in the initial phase. The idea was pursued long back. We could not work comprehensively on it following many reasons. The department will immediately materialise the project and it will be introduced shortly. Prior to that an extensive report will be obtained from Bangalore Traffic Police and will be analyzed to mull over the feasibilities that can be worked out," said SP.

The issue is being discussed with the Road Transport Department. In addition, actions will also be taken against the auto-drivers who run the autos without DL. There are certain mandatory criterion to be fulfilled by the individual to obtain the Driving Licenses. Stringent measures will be taken against those who run auto illegally, he added.