Distracting ads on autos will go

Distracting advertisements on auto-rickshaws, including those with misleading words and pictures aimed at "getting your attention", will have to go as the Regional Transport Authority RTA) is set to come out with rules for them.

Bengaluru Urban Deputy Commissioner B M Vijay Shankar, who is also the RTA chairman, said the decision was taken in the interests of road safety. "Some of the advertisements on auto-rickshaws have been found to be very distracting. A subcommittee has been formed to look into the issue and come up with rules limiting the space given for advertisements on auto rickshaws," he said.

He said RTO officials would ensure advertisements found to be distracting were removed. "For those who want to display their company name, we will fix the size of advertisements," he said.

Auto permits

Meanwhile, the RTA meeting could not settle the imbroglio over the Transport Department's decision to issue 30,000 auto-rickshaw permits, including 5,000 electric auto-rickshaws, in the next five years. "Some people are demanding additional permits but another section is opposing the move. We will hold another meeting to decide the matter," he said.

Officials also discussed the demand for issuing additional stage permits, the space for pre-paid auto rickshaws and the renewal of permits.