Visakhapatnam: Autorickshaw drivers cock a snook at lockdown curbs

Visakhapatnam: Autorickshaws are back on the roads with the government relaxing certain norms while extending the lockdown till May 31.

However, social distancing, the weapon to prevent the spread of dreaded coronavirus, takes a backseat with the auto-drivers, in a bid to recoup the lost revenue, accommodating more than two persons in the vehicle, violating the norms imposed as they resume their services.

Trains, buses and autorickshaws, which form a part of the public transport system, have been considered potential carriers of virus, particularly in times of the pandemic. Keeping this in view, the government suspended their operation as a step to contain the virus spread.

When the fourth phase of the lockdown came into force, the Central government has allowed State governments to take a call on the public transport services. Earlier, two-plus one for cars and one-plus one for autorickshaws were allowed in order to meet health emergencies.

At present, the traffic police are allowing two plus one in auto-rickshaws. "Currently, two passengers are permitted apart from the auto-driver. However, changes will be made as soon as we get guidelines from the state government," says Ch. Adi Narayana, ADCP (Traffic).

There are around 40,000 autorickshaws plying in the city. A majority of the commuters depends on the three-wheeler next to the bus service because of the convenience and accessibility it offers.

But over the past 50 days of the extended lockdown period, the autorickshaws were confined to their parking lot. Unable to pay the loan instalment and with hardly any income, several autorickshaw drivers experienced untold miseries. "We have been leading a miserable life ever since the first lockdown came into effect. Currently, our financial position is in a bad shape and hope it would improve in the coming days," says G. Naidu, president of Autorickshaw Union, Gajuwaka.

However, with autorickshaws started ferrying passengers, many are seen ignoring the lockdown norms by accommodating more than two passengers per trip. Traffic police, cracking a whip on violators, are collecting fine from erring drivers.

While the violators continue to accommodate more passengers in a shared trip, the biggest concern now is the possibility of the virus getting spread due to lack of maintenance of social distancing amid growing number of Covid-19 positive cases in the district.