Pandey asks officials to ensure GPS installation in local public transport
Monday, 25 December 2023 | PNS | DEHRADUN
The Transport department has prohibited the new registration of e-rickshaws in Dehradun, Rishikesh, Vikasnagar, Haridwar and Roorkee. This decision was taken in the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) meeting on the weekend chaired by Garhwal commissioner and RTA chairman Vinay Shankar Pandey. Improving the deteriorating traffic system in the cities of the Dehradun division was one of the main subjects of discussion in the meeting.
The transport department’s officials stated that the uncontrolled operation of electric rickshaws in Dehradun, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Roorkee and Vikasnagar areas has severe traffic issues. Many e-rickshaws have also been running on highways and main roads against the rules. Considering this, Pandey banned the new registration of e-rickshaws. Besides this, RTA also decided not to renew permits for old e-rickshaws.
The department will now issue permits for CNG and battery operated auto rickshaws to facilitate the door-to-door transportation facility to locals. Besides this, the department will also mark specific centres as per their operation in respective areas to prevent their intrusion on other routes, said the regional transport officer (Administration) and RTA secretary Sunil Sharma. The authorities will also impose four times the current penalties on violations by e-rickshaws from now onwards. Sharma also informed that RTA also approved the operation of mini buses and buses under stage carriage permit on several routes to increase transport services in urban and hilly areas.
The proposals to run passenger vehicles on two new routes in Tehri and 15 new routes in Uttarkashi were also approved in the meeting. The senior officials also directed the transport officials to ensure local public transport vehicles are not operating on other routes against the permits issued to them by the department.
Pandey has also directed the transport department and traffic police to prepare a joint action plan to solve the problem of traffic jams in Dehradun, Haridwar, Rishikesh and Roorkee. Besides this, RTA has also made GPS installation mandatory in buses, taxis, cabs, mini buses, Vikrams, autorickshaws and e-rickshaws in Dehradun. He has directed the regional transport office to ensure the installation by April 30.
