Despite Admn crackdown,overloading in autos continues

After several accidents were reported due to overloading of three-wheelers in the Panchkula district,the administration had tightened the noose and acted tough against the offenders.

After several accidents were reported due to overloading of three-wheelers in the Panchkula district,the administration had tightened the noose and acted tough against the offenders. The scene,however,is back to square one once again as autorickshaws can be seen ferrying more than five passengers in Kalka as well as on the Panchkula-Kalka highway.

Former Kalka SDM had held a meeting with the drivers in December last year and decided to increase the fare from Rs five to ten for the Kalka-Pinjore route on the condition that not more than three passengers will be loaded in the vehicles.

Narinder Kumar,a shopkeeper in Pinjore who travels daily from Kalka,told Newsline that after a few days of complying with the order,the three-wheelers have once again started loading more than five passengers while the fare remains hiked to Rs 10. My monthly travelling expense has increased by Rs 300 for nothing, Kumar rued.

Manmohan Aggrawal,another resident of Kalka,alleged that three-wheelers charge Rs 30 from the Kalka railway station to Gandhi Chowk in Kalka,which is just 1.5 km away.

The administration should fix the auto fare and check overloading as it is dangerous for passengers as well as pedestrians. Many three-wheeler drivers do not even have a valid driving licence, added Aggarwal.

Kalka SDM O P Sharma could not be contacted despite repeated attempts while Panchkula Superintendent of Police Amitabh Dhillon said he will look into the matter and overloading will not be allowed in any case.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram