Overloaded autos a threat to kids’ lives

An auto-rickshaw overloaded with students in Patiala.

Patiala, February 10

Despite the Punjab and Haryana High Court coming down heavily on overloaded auto-rickshaws, especially the ones ferrying schoolchildren, the practice continues unabated in the city.

Auto-rickshaws overloaded with passengers is a common sight here. Despite the ruling that the drivers should not accommodate more than three persons at a time, one can see numerous people travelling at the same time.

Many three-wheelers carry as many as 10-15 passengers, especially the ones transporting schoolchildren. While the district administration is seemingly indifferent to the issue, the parents and school authorities are also not bothered.

“The three-wheeler drivers not only play with the lives of children but also pose a threat to others on the road. One can see some children barely managing to cling on to the vehicle. My daughter used to go to school in an auto-rickshaw which used to ferry more than 10 children. Even after repeated requests, the driver did not reduce the strength. Now, I personally go to drop and pick her from the school everyday,” added Manjeet Singh of Tripri.

Charanpreet Kaur, a student of Punjabi University, said, “I don’t understand why the authorities don’t challan three-wheeler drivers. They just act as a mute spectator even as violation of traffic rules by auto drivers can been seen in every nook and corner of the city. All auto-rickshaws going from one part of the city to the bus stand are totally stuffed but no one bothers to check this practice,” she added.

Patiala Deputy Commissioner Vikas Garg said it was not that the administration was not taking any action. “The traffic police has been directed to challan the drivers violating traffic norms and they are doing it,” he added.