Call to regulate auto stands at Metros

Pointing out that the number of vehicles parked near the station would only go up after the Metro rail stretch is connected with the Central Railway station by the end of March, motorists say it would add to traffic woes. 

When asked whether they obtained permission, K Maheshwaran, an autorickshaw driver who was hoping for passengers in front of Nehru Park station said, “There are just 10 to 15 autorickshaws as of now. We will seek approval from the police once there are around 25 to 30.” 

Anbazhagan, Traffic Enforcement Wing Inspector (Kilpauk range), said that they are monitoring the stations on daily basis and have asked autorickshaw drivers not to park their vehicles near Metro stations. “We have also communicated to Chennai Metro Rail Ltd (CMRL), for allotting parking space inside the premises,” he added. 

Meanwhile, motorists and activists want the city police to either allot space for a dedicated autorickshaw stand or remove the vehicles. “CMRL may introduce an app-based system for connectivity with autorickshaws for ferrying passengers. Such a system has been implemented in Kerala where it has received good response,” said Aswathy Dilip, programme manager, Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP). Haphazard parking would lead to traffic jams, especially in the arterial roads like the Poonamallee High Road, she said, asking the officials to allot space for autorickshaws. 

A senior CMRL official said they were in the process of creating a new app-based system for autorickshaws. “We have already introduced small buses and free cycles in the stations,” he added.