Increase in auto rickshaw challenges traffic management

Siraha- In the wake of growing number of auto rickshaw, traffic management has been challenging in Lahan, a major bazaar in the district.

People prefer using auto rickshaw to other vehicles for short distance travel. But the narrow roads and reckless driving have been causing accidents. Although this light vehicle is expected to be operated in inner areas rather than on main roads, the rickshaw pullers are crowded in major roads, creating hassles for traffic management, according to District Traffic Police Office.

Chief at Office, Poshan Raj Thapaliya, said, “The auto rickshaw pullers have not adequate awareness of traffic rules. They are largely concentrated around major sections along the East-West Highway, thereby causing sheer hindrance.”

He pointed out the need for local levels and transport office to formulate procedures on operation and regulation of auto rickshaw. Chief District Officer, Basu Dev Dahal, also admitted, “The auto rickshaws are run beyond their capacity on major streets of Lahan, Golbazaar and Mirchaiya. They are one of significant factors behind road accidents.” He viewed time has come for effective regulation of auto rickshaw.

The number of auto rickshaw has increased shapely in the district of late. Chairman of Trade Union Federation in the district, Sanjiv Uprety, informed that there were 300 such vehicles running in Siraha district alone. It is the three-fold more than the capacity of road. He, however, argued that the concerned bodies were not paying attention to this pressing problem.

Similarly, Chief of Area Police Office at Lahan, Bishnu Prasad Soti, said, “There was neither a clear government policy nor a directive to regulate the operation of rickshaw. There is in deed a rickshaw terror at bazaar area. He stressed the need for issuing license for rickshaw pullers so that they face legal action while violating rule and causing accidents. Standard setting by the transport office can be a measure to this end, Soti suggested.

On the other hand, mayor of Lahan municipality, Mahesh Prasad Chaudhari, informed that they had prepared a work procedure for the management and regulation of three wheelers, auto rickshaw and e-rickshaw. With the implementation of the work procedure, these vehicles will be registered and managed well, he hoped.