Deadline extended for expired auto permits

A decision to extend the date to renew auto permits was taken yesterday by the District Collector after a meeting with Regional Transport Office (RTO) officials. Owners of nearly 650 auto rickshaws can now get their permits renewed by December 31, all of whom have their renewal due since 1997.

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Earlier, the transport commissioner had circulated a notification announcing that the auto rickshaw permit, which has not been renewed even six months after their permits expired, would be cancelled. However, after conducting a meeting with the RTO officials, the district collectorate has taken a decision to give additional time to auto rickshaw owners to renew their permits.

"At present, there are 47,000 rickshaws running on the city's roads, of which 10,000 have not renewed their permits yet. Surprisingly, around 650 of them have not renewed their permit since 1997 after it expired," said Deshmukh, while speaking with mediapersons. He said that the 650 auto rickshaw owners will have to renew their permits by the December deadline, or else their permits would be cancelled without any prior notice.

Deshmukh also added that auto rickshaw owners who did not renew their permits after it expired in November 1997 would be given 15 days of extension after December 31. Owners whose permits expire after January 1, 2014 will have to apply for renewal within six months, else they would be cancelled.
A decision was also taken to ensure strict action against

illegal transportation of passengers. Two patrolling teams, consisting of police and RTO officials, have been formed, which will take action against those vehicle owners who are illegally transporting passengers in the district.

"Such vehicles will either be seized or their permit would be cancelled. The patrolling teams would first initiate action in those areas where State Transport (ST) undertaking income has decreased. The basis for the action is that ST bus service has providing satisfactory services in those areas," said Deshmukh. u00a0