Details incorrect, 1,000 auto permits under scanner

The data provided by around 1,000 drivers to gain auto-rickshaw permits for vehicles with GPS-enabled meters has come under the scanner, as the details given have come up as incorrect. This comes a few months after the Transport department started the process of issuing new permits to 45,000 autos.

Transport minister Ramakant Goswami on Wednesday said the matter was being investigated to ascertain if the permits need to be cancelled.

"During verification, information given for 1,000 permits has been found to be inaccurate. We are investigating the matter. If the information given is wrong, the permits will be cancelled," Goswami said.

Around 12,000 new three-wheeler scooter rickshaw (TSR) permits have been issued till date.

According to officials in the Transport department, the telecom company providing the GPS connectivity cross-checked the contact information given by the auto-rickshaw permit holders. The details were found incorrect during verification.

The GPS-based meters of the new autos have a SIM card, which helps in tracking the vehicle. "Like a regular cellphone connection, where the address and other information is verified by the telecom provider, these GPS devices were also given in the name of the permit holder. In some cases, the information given was found to be wrong upon verification. A notice has been sent to the auto-rickshaw drivers in these cases," a senior official said.

The department is also in talks with the Delhi Police to connect the panic button in the new autos with the police control room. "At present, the panic button is connected to the control centre at DIMTS. We want that the information be available with the Delhi Police, so when a panic button is pressed, the information automatically gets forwarded to police," an official said. At present, this information is not shared with Delhi Police.

... contd.

ALSO READ

Carmakers' rumbles against quadricycle grow louder

Enter the compact luxury

Audi's $1.3-bn Mexico SUV plant aimed at unseating BMW

Auto, taxi fares up in Delhi from today