Unauthorised e-rickshaws and autos: Month-long, U.P-wide crackdown to begin from April 1

Days after a 32-year-old Ayodhya woman was murdered after being abducted by auto-rickshaw drivers from Alambagh bus stop, the state government is set to launch a state-wide crackdown on unverified drivers and illegal e-rickshaws and autos.

Starting on April 1, the transport department is set to launch the drive following chief minister Yogi Adityanath’s directives to strengthen enforcement at the ground level and the verification of tempo and e-rickshaw drivers. The CM was chairing a review meeting on law and order on Sunday.

The transport commissioner has instructed all district magistrates, police commissioners, and senior superintendents of police to ensure strict enforcement of the drive, with a strong focus in the state capital, Lucknow.

Weekly reports to be submitted to govt every Friday

Transport commissioner Brajesh Narayan Singh, in a letter addressed to all district magistrates, police commissioners, and SSPs/SPs on Wednesday, instructed officials to ensure strict enforcement against underage driving during the campaign.

Singh convened a meeting with departmental officers on Thursday. In view of maintaining law and order and ensuring revenue compliance, he directed all additional transport commissioners, RTOs, and ARTOs to conduct intensive district-level drives. Regular monitoring of the campaign is to be ensured, with weekly reports to be submitted to the government every Friday.

Earlier, in the review meeting emphasising road safety, the Chief Minister had underlined that minors must not be allowed to operate vehicles under any circumstances. He also called for tenant verification and immediate action to prevent overloading at zero

points. To ensure effective implementation, he directed that transport department officials be included in the district-level task forces.

Hunt underway, 1000 history-sheeters on radar

Right after the incident, Lucknow police started cracking down upon such drivers. In the Mohanlalganj area, police started putting numbers on the front and back with big digits and began recording the numbers in their register. Police seized hundreds of auto and e-rickshaws while also levying challans on them. Police have also contacted 1,000 history-sheeters released on bail. Police also arrested two auto drivers in Madiaon area, who were selling narcotics in the area.