Nagpur: The city’s autorickshaw menace continues to worsen, with three-wheeler drivers blatantly flouting traffic rules despite 317 designated auto stands across the city. Instead of using these authorized stops, autorickshaws occupy roads, footpaths, and busy intersections, creating traffic congestion in crucial areas like Variety Square, Rani Jhansi Square, Munje Chowk, LIC Square, and outside the railway station gates. Illegal parking and reckless behaviour of autorickshaw drivers disrupts the smooth flow of traffic, adding to the frustration of commuters and pedestrians alike.
According to RTO records from both the east and city offices, Nagpur has 44,881 registered autorickshaws permitted to ferry passengers. However, only a fraction of them use the designated stands, leading to widespread encroachment on roads. The imbalance between available stands and the sheer number of rickshaws has turned major roads into bottlenecks, worsening the city’s traffic woes.
In 2024 alone, the city traffic police took strict action, issuing 34,608 challans against errant auto drivers and collecting a hefty Rs2.44 crore in fines. Of these, 10,512 private autos were penalized, contributing Rs71.85 lakh; while 24,096 public autos were fined a staggering Rs1.72 crore for violations under the Motor Vehicles Act. These penalties, however, have failed to deter drivers from continuing with illegal parking, wrong-side driving, and overcrowding of passengers, making everyday commuting a nightmare for Nagpurians.
Despite the existence of 317 authorized stands that can accommodate 2,795 autos, a large number of rickshaws refuse to use them. North Nagpur has 58 auto stands for 519 autos, while West Nagpur has 65 stands for 560 autos, East Nagpur has 52 stands for 417 autos, Indora has 49 stands for 473 autos, South Nagpur has 44 stands for 456 autos, and MIDC has 49 stands for accommodating 370 autos. However, with a staggering 44,881 registered autos, these facilities remain grossly inadequate, leading to rampant violations. Instead of parking at their designated locations, auto drivers prefer to stop anywhere they find convenient, particularly near commercial areas, hospitals, and educational institutions, further choking city roads.
The worst-affected areas remain Variety Square and Rani Jhansi Square, where autos park haphazardly, obstructing both traffic and pedestrian movement. Munje Chowk, which already suffers from severe encroachment by street vendors, has become another hub for illegal auto parking. At LIC Square, the continuous presence of parked autos disrupts bus services and private vehicle movement. Outside Nagpur Railway Station, thousands of passengers struggle daily as autos block footpaths and entry points, forcing them to navigate through dangerously congested roads.
Despite ongoing enforcement efforts, the problem persists as many auto drivers exploit loopholes or bribe officials to escape stricter penalties. While police frequently tow illegally parked vehicles, these drives have failed to bring about lasting change. Commuters complain that drivers not only refuse to park at designated stands but also overcharge, refuse to ply passengers over short distances, and stop abruptly in the middle of the road to pick up fares, creating dangerous situations.
The failure of auto drivers to comply with traffic regulations demands stricter intervention from authorities. Traffic experts suggest introducing a digitized allocation system for auto stands, imposing steeper fines and impounding vehicles of repeat offenders, and declaring no-auto zones in high-traffic areas. Additionally, expanding public transport options such as electric buses could reduce dependence on autos, ultimately easing congestion.
Unless authorities take resolute and consistent action, Nagpur’s roads will remain hostage to unruly autorickshaw drivers, leaving citizens trapped in daily traffic chaos with no relief in sight.
Infobox: Nagpur’s Auto Rickshaw Menace
Total Registered Autos: 44,881 (as per RTO records)
Authorized Auto Stands: 317 (Capacity: 2,795 autos)
Autos Penalized in 2024: 34,608
– Private Autos: 10,512 (Fines Collected: Rs71.85 lakh)
– Public Autos: 24,096 (Fines Collected: ₹1.72 crore)
Common Violations:
– Illegal parking
– Wrong-side driving
– Overloading passengers
– Stopping abruptly to pick up fares
– Encroaching footpaths & junctions
Worst Affected Locations:
– Variety Square
– Rani Jhansi Square
– Munje Chowk
– LIC Square
– Nagpur Railway Station
Suggested Solutions:
– Heavier fines & impounding repeat offenders’ vehicles
– Declaring no-auto zones in congested areas MSID:: 118981729 413 |
