Udupi SP’s phone-in, people share problems galore.

Mangalore Today News Network

UDUPI: Many complaints related to autorickshaw service were received at a phone-in programme of Superintendent of Police Lakshman Nimbargi, here on May 25,  Friday.  Also,  autorickshaw drivers aired their grievances to the SP.

Out of 20 complaints received, a majority were about the irregular service provided by the autorickshaw drivers and irrational charges.

A complainant from Udupi alleged that there are a lot of autorickshaw stands in the city limits, possibly more than those found in Bengaluru.

Replying to a question, Nimbargi said, police officials will immediately verify the authenticity of each autorickshaw stand and shut down those functioning without proper permit.

He said autorickshaw drivers were told to carry licence and wear uniforms. A decision to this effect was taken a meeting of autorickashaw drivers recently.

Nimbargi said cases will be filed against autorickshaw drivers who do not comply with restrictions and let them release their vehicles in the court. Random check needs to be done, he said and instructed the police officials to make arrangements to verify the autorickshaw meters frequently.

There was also a complaint on the 20 autorickshaws functioning without licence at Siddapur.  A complainant demanded that city buses should be pressed into service from railway station to the city limits, as most autorickshaw drivers run the vehicles without meters.

A complaint was related to traffic irregularities at Hanuman Circle, area in front of Mother of Sorrow’s Church and court. Here, the zebra crossing is also missing. The traffic congestion during peak hours from 8.30 to 11 am and 3 to 6 pm, has made it highly impossible for the women, aged, handicap and children to cross the roads in these junctions.

Nimbargi assured the caller that a policeman will be deployed to manage the situation.

Another complaint was related to the effluents released by a hotel situated adjacent to the road at Barkur and putting the pedestrians into trouble. The foul smell spread across the area, the complainant added.

A complainant said trucks carrying stones from stone crusher units at Budali-Billadi not following safety measures. The trucks are not covered and big size stones are dropped on the roads, the complainant
alleged.

Yet another complaint was on the plying of heavy vehicles over the bridge adjoining Jannadi-Brahmavar stretch.

There was a demand for police beat at Karavali Junction during the evening hours as there are bars and restaurants in the area.

The SP said five extradition cases were registered in 2017 and six so far this year. All the six cases are related to Matka cases. As many as three Goonda Act cases have been filed. The extradition time of three months were over for the accused charged in 2015, he added.

The last phone-in programme that was held on March 29. Since then, 19 Matka cases were filed and 21 were arrested. While 100 were arrested in 16 gambling cases, four were arrested in four illegal liquor sale cases.