Patna: With a view to streamlining the vehicular traffic and ensuring safety of commuters in the state, the transport department will be introducing a slew of measures. The department officials said before introducing the steps for regulation of traffic, suggestions and objections will be invited from various stakeholders.
As per plan, all routes of autorickshaws and e-rickshaws in the state will be divided into zones, with each zone getting a different colour code.The e-rickshaw drivers will be given a special permit to operate on a particular route. They will also be provided with identity cards. A notification in this regard was issued by the state transport department recently. Suggestions from e-rickshaw operators have also been sought on the proposal.

Transport minister Sheela Kumari said to enhance road safety, improve convenience of passengers, and make the cities congestion-free, the department has prepared a plan to regulate the operation of auto-rickshaws and e-rickshaws in various divisions and district headquarters, such as Patna and other urban areas of the state, she said.
“The aim of the new initiative is not only to make cities jam-free but also to provide safe and convenient transportation services to passengers. Additionally, the plan will provide stress-free driving to the vehicle drivers,” the minister said.
Transport secretary Sanjay Kumar Agarwal said that the plan has received approval of the cabinet. Objections and suggestions have been invited from various stakeholders for its implementation, and it will be available on the department’s website for 30 days. Final decisions will be taken after incorporating the objections and suggestions, he said. “With the implementation of the auto and e-rickshaw regulation plan, e-rickshaw drivers will receive legal rights to operate e-rickshaws. Due to the absence of a permit system, they often face difficulties. E-rickshaw drivers will be given licences to operate vehicles in the city and will also receive identity cards,” Agarwal said.
Agarwal said that all routes of auto-rickshaws and e-rickshaws will be divided into zones, with each zone assigned a distinct colour-coded sticker or paint for the vehicles. The division of zones and routes will ensure that all routes are included and divided as needed to facilitate passengers in reaching their destinations, he said.
Registration of auto-rickshaws and e-rickshaws will be based on the vehicle carrying capacity of the roads. A certain percentage of the total potential capacity will be reserved for autos and e-rickshaws.

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