It is 'Auto'cracy in Gurgaon

For the last two days life in Gurgaon has been cool, really cool. Driving on the city roads has been smooth, really smooth. There have been no pests darting in and out of traffic, spewing thick fumes of smoke from their contraptions.

In other words for the last two days the shared autorickshaws have been on a strike – and life has been cool.

But what is it that these mean operators of these mean machines demand? As it is they overload, overcharge, overspeed and overtake. What more do they want?

While there are many stories doing the rounds, a birdie told me that though the auto wallahs are paying a ‘hafta’ of Rs 30 daily – more of a ‘rozana’, the traffic cops want to challan them Rs 500 per day even after that. Also that whenever a traffic cop stops an auto, he slaps the driver before any conversation begins!

The official version is that that these autos overload and drive dangerously – but then they have been doing so since the days of Guru Dronacharya (or so it seems), did the department just notice these facts?

But the ground reality is that Gurgaon is real nice without these autos. But the District Administration has let go an excellent opportunity to discipline these auto-wallahs and at the same time rid the city of this menace – just like Delhi has been able to rid itself of the blue lines. A handful of these miscreants could hold the administration to ransom and the powers that be in the district setup have bowed before them.

The results of the negotiations are out – the autos can now load 10 passengers in an auto meant for 6. Not more than 10. Means that they can break the rules, but only to an extent. Maybe the next time motorcyclists with have a strike and the administration can allow them to ride three! Then maybe the cars will demand black glasses. Then trucks and dumpers will ask for permission to carry 'only' 4 tonnes more. If the DCP (Traffic) can amend the Motor Vehicles Act for autorickshaws why not for others? Don’t worry, there is a special edition of the Motor Vehicles Act in Gurgaon.

It has been decided that there will be no passengers hanging to the back of the autos. Means persons can die of suffocation, can be thrown from the sides, can come under the auto when it overturns, but will not die by falling from the back.

Also only those autos will be challaned which do not have the necessary papers. Means they can drive as they wish as long as they have the ‘papers’ – whatever it means.

In the meanwhile, I got this picture of passengers stuffed like sardines inside the auto today morning. Do not worry Madam DCP Sahiba, none were hanging from the back.

(c) Dr Rajiv Bhatia