Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Mar 13: It has been decided to allow auto rickshaws from rural areas of Mangaluru taluk to ferry passengers to the city.

This decision was taken in a meeting of deputy commissioner, transport authority, police officials and auto associations, chaired by health minister U T Khadar.

Auto rickshaws from rural areas can bring passengers to city, but they have to return soon after dropping their passengers. They are not allowed to operate within the city limits, and if they do so, appropriate action will be taken against them, the minister revealed.

To identify and distinguish rural rickshaws from city ones, it has been decided to paint them green instead of yellow.

If any rural rickshaw is caught operating within city limits, the auto will be seized and licence will be suspended for three months. If the offence is repeated, the auto licence will be terminated permanently. Auto associations from rural as well as city have agreed for the same, said Khadar.

The minister also said that relevant information on the same will be conveyed to all officials concerned so that unnecessary inconveniences to auto drivers can be avoided.

Deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim, RTO Afzal Ahmed Khan, ACP (traffic) Udaya Nayak and representatives from various auto rickshaw associations were present in the meeting.