Patna: A high-level meeting in Patna on Friday, chaired by Divisional Commissioner Chandrashekhar Singh, set out a new plan to regulate auto rickshaw and e-rickshaw operations across the city in an effort to ease traffic congestion and improve public transport.
The meeting, attended by the District Magistrate, Senior Superintendent of Police, Deputy Development Commissioner, Superintendent of Police (Traffic), District Transport Officer and other officials, discussed measures to streamline urban transport, including the introduction of a zone-based permit system.
Patna currently has about 1,75,000 registered auto rickshaws, of which only 16,000 have permits for rural areas. The rest have been operating in urban areas without new permits being issued since 2014. Under the new plan, the city will be divided into three operating zones—Yellow, Green and Blue—along with a Reserve Zone (White), where vehicles will run directly from source to destination without stoppages.
Vehicle owners will be invited to apply for zone-based permits starting September 23. Each owner can seek permits for one zone and up to three routes within that zone. E-rickshaw owners will also be eligible to apply.
Officials have also been asked to consult stakeholders on adding new routes in line with the city’s rapid expansion, the rollout of metro services and the inclusion of new areas in the urban network. Chandrashekharh said the government remains focused on balancing passenger convenience, safety, environmental concerns and the welfare of drivers.
Drivers will also benefit from the Chief Minister Vehicle Driver Welfare Scheme, which covers accident insurance, health cards, social security pensions and labour welfare provisions to ensure safer and more secure livelihoods.
