Autorickshaws not allowed on NH in Vizag after 7 p.m

In a step towards keeping the accidents on the National Highway-16 in check, autorickshaws would not be allowed on the NH in Visakhapatnam between 7 p.m and 5 a.m, starting from today.

As per the Road Transport Authority (RTA) Visakhapatnam, the decision was taken after an increase in the number of accidents involving autorickshaws on the National Highway. Across the state, a splurge in the road mishaps was reported, especially late in the evenings and nights.

However, the new rule will be applicable only to the road stretching from Madhurawada to Rajapulova, and Anakapalle to Addu road, with the city roads being spared.

Over the year, the autorickshaw drivers came under the scanner for not following safety regulations and breaking laws multiple times. While overcrowding and lack of traffic sense have been an issue since long, many three-wheelers have also been deteriorating the city’s air quality by not following the pollution norms.

“Auto drivers do not give two hoots to the road safety norms. For example, many of the autos do not have the mandatory danger lights on the rear, making it difficult for the drivers of other vehicle notice the three-wheelers. And it often leads to accidents”, Deputy Transport Commissioner S. Venkateswara Rao, was quoted as saying by The Hindu.

The Deputy Transport Commissioner also informed that in spite of showing a lenient eye towards the autorickshaw drivers, they have turned “complacent” and hardly caring about the laws anymore.

Autorickshaw drivers, on the other hand, say that the authorities are depriving them of their livelihood, without providing them a suitable alternative.