Tripura Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury Tuesday announced a colour code for autorickshaws plying within the Agartala Municipal Corporation to curb route permit violations and reduce traffic congestion. Speaking to the media at the Civil Secretariat, Chowdhury said that all autorickshaws permitted to operate within the AMC limits should add a pink shade to the front of the vehicles for identification purposes. Autorickshaws from outside will not be allowed to ply within the AMC limits unless for an emergency, said Chowdhury. "The decision was taken to differentiate autorickshaws within the AMC from autorickshaws of other subdivisions. In this case, pink colour should be added in the front side of the autorickshaws within the AMC, whereas, colours of autorickshaws outside the AMC will remain unchanged", said Chowdhury, who also holds the portfolios of food, civil supplies and consumer affairs. Passengers in autorickshaws from outside the AMC limits are required to show proper documents to enter the city in case of emergencies, such as medical emergencies or the transportation of air passengers, the minister said. He said autorickshaw owners must show their route permits, and no one will be allowed to violate this rule. Otherwise, strict legal action will be taken against them, he added. Chowdhury said he observed that some private vehicles are being used for commercial purposes without the necessary commercial licences. He urged vehicle owners to obtain licences for commercial purposes as soon as possible if they want to continue using them. "It has come to our attention that some private vehicles are being used to transport school students and office employees without the required commercial licences. This poses a security risk for school children. Therefore, school authorities will be served notice to permit only vehicles that have commercial licences," said Chowdhury.
