The Hindu

• Steps are being taken to reign in errant autorickshaw drivers: DC 
• Bus-owners cannot be asked to follow any colour code, says RTO
• Bank authorities to be suggested to advance loans to drivers for LPG kits
  

Mangalore, Nov 28: Regional Transport Authority (RTA) chairman and Deputy Commissioner M. Maheshwar Rao is contemplating on a colour code for buses in the district. Speaking at a meeting of the RTA here on Thursday, Rao said that two colours would be chosen for city buses and rural or service buses. Addressing presspersons after the meeting, Rao said that various steps were being taken by the RTA to reign in errant autorickshaw drivers in Mangalore.

Rao said that colour coding would enhance the aesthetical look of the city. The private bus-owners were painting their buses in red, blue, green and violet as they pleased.

Sought for an opinion by Rao, regional transport officer Afzal Ahmed Khan said that colour coding could not be made mandatory under law. Mr. Rao then said that the administration could advice the bus-owners to fall in line. Asked as to what might happen when the Government banned private buses and introduced Karnataka Road Transport Corporation services in the district, Rao said, “We will cross that bridge when we reach it.”

Earlier, Rao took a stern stand when some autorickshaw drivers approached him to defer the Government Order of making it mandatory for three wheelers to convert to LPG. The drivers said that there were only two places in the city to dispense LPG to over 60,000 6,000 autorickshaws. Rao said that he would convene a meeting with oil companies to encourage them to set up more LPG outlets. He assured the drivers that he would convene a meeting of bank officials and advice them to advance loans to drivers for LPG kits. He warned that the RTA would soon launch a drive against autorickshaw drivers possessing illegally acquired LPG cylinders. On the issue of passengers being fleeced by autorickshaw drivers Rao said that strict action was being taken to deter malpractices.

Afzal Ahmed Khan pointed out that permits of over 30 autorickshaw drivers had been suspended in recent past for demanding extra fare from passengers.