Remove the obnoxious autos from Delhi roads - Why?

All sorts of discussions started when our CM Smt. Sheila Dikshit suggested "that autos will be phased
out of Delhi roads once Government find alternative to three-wheelers." Well this is a small question I want to ask the Janta of Delhi what actually is the issue? Is it auto or Auto walahs or their behavior? Ask from me I'll say their behavior. So if that is the case will replacing autos with some other form of vehicle or transport system resolve the issue?

Well No alternate vehicle is going to resolve the issue. Replace it with Radio Taxi, as someone suggested in one of the blogs, but keep the drivers; Pooff what do you get? the same old issues of passengers being hackled. May be a different transport system could be the answer to the problem. We will have to devise a way by which Govt. can ensure that no Autowalah (let me call them Autowalahs only at this point of time) can over charge, refuse to take you to your destination or refuse to go by meter. Delhi Government really need to rein in the autos.

For this Govt. will also have to tackle the problem of Auto owners exploiting the drivers. The Badges and registration of Auto in the name of the driver are two good measures Delhi Govt. has taken in this direction. But how far has it implemented these measures? Now this is only a hunch but I believe that not more than 20% of all auto walahs have Verified their permits and received new badges from the Authorities. Please correct me if I am wrong. I'll be more than happy to be wrong on this one. 

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More buses, Carpools, Behaved Autos and strict enforcement will reduce traffic problems

Blame it on my laziness or the amount of workload I was dealing with. But yes, the promised post on the measures to reduce the load on roads is delayed. Anyways here it goes. To decrease the traffic on the Delhi roads, apart from raising the traffic penalties and the parking charges, I will suggest following measures also.

1. Increase the DTC bus fleet on the Delhi roads: For adventure's sake try to commute by DTC bus service just for one day. I am sure that you will have to wait at least 20-30 minutes before your bus arrives and then you will find it too crowded to make you put your idea to take bus aside. The current fleet of roughly 6400 buses (3600 New Low floor buses and 2800 old busses) is not sufficient for Delhi roads. The government will have to at least triple the busses to provide a service every 5-10 minutes. Also the buses should allow only a fixed number of passengers. A commuter is more likely to ditch his car/bike for the bus service if it does not keep him waiting and provides sufficient comfort.

2. Improve the other means of public transport: Nobody likes to be heckled by the Auto / Taxi drivers. The government will have to ensure that Auto drivers have enough discipline to a) Not to refuse the passenger without any reason b) Always go by the meter. I am sure people will stop taking there beloved cars out of their garage. Read more about the "Psyche Of A Delhi Auto Driver" in this blog by Maryann Taylor

3 Encourage Car pooling: This is one point that I guess has already been acted upon. Some days back I used to hear this radio advertisement which appeals you to car pool forgetting any differences if you might have with copassengers.

4. Ensure stricter implementations of law: There is an urgent need to see that whatever fines or penalties are decided (the current or the proposed hikes) are implemented strictly. There should not be a case where people know hey can get away by bribing a constable.

After writing all this I still believe that there is a scope to add few more suggestions here. I will be more than happy to see suggestion coming from you about the post.

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