Exclusive parking bay for call taxis planned

By S.Shivakumar

CHENNAI, SEPT. 28. An exclusive parking bay for `call taxis' is being planned at the Central Railway Station as an additional facility to cater to the needs of the passengers arriving in the city everyday.

This would ensure that passengers, especially those coming from other States, are not at the mercy of autorickshaw drivers. The new scheme was mooted by the City Police Commissioner, Mr. K. Muthukaruppan, during an a `face to face' session organised by a service club on Thursday.

It was pointed out that the passengers were fleeced by autorickshaw drivers, and the problem was compounded as `call taxis' were not allowed inside the railway terminal.

The Commissioner said he would look into the problem, and ensure that the `call taxi scheme' was evolved in consultation with the railway police and railway authorities. The parking area came under the jurisdiction of the railway police. However, the city police were assisting the railway police and the railway authorities in providing security.

On the traffic front, Mr. Muthukaruppan said the police were evolving various schemes for smooth flow of vehicles. It was a challenging task as hundreds of new vehicles were hitting the city everyday.

The police and transport authorities would hold a high-level meeting, which would be chaired by the Home Secretary, on October 3, to take a decision on the movement of fish carts. The police were aware of the threat posed by these vehicles to the other road users. However, the problem had been existing for the past few years. ``These vehicles are seen transporting everything but fish''.

Moreover, it had come to the notice of the police that most of these vehicles were fitted with 250 CC and even 350 CC engines. The prototypes were not safe, and they posed a danger to the driver.

Among the various modernisation schemes being envisaged for the city police is an automated `interactive computerised complaint system'. When someone dials `100', the automated system will connect the caller to the patrol vehicle through a software and a Global Positioning System installed in the control room. The scheme will enable the caller to seek the assistance of the nearest patrol vehicle. Moreover, the person seeking help can give directions to the patrol vehicle.

Denying the allegation that the police were turning a blind eye to the traffic violations of MTC buses, the Commissioner said the registration numbers of the erring vehicles were sent to the MTC for follow-up action.

On the problems posed by illegal bars in residential areas, he said prompt action would be taken against those violating law. The police had not slackened their vigil against crime offenders. ``Some of the criminals may go scot-free as they are yet to be traced. The criminals usually shift their hide-outs after any operation. This makes it difficult for the police to trace them. If the public give any information about criminals, the police will take prompt action'', he said.

He said the police were repeatedly warned against rejecting complaints. As part of improving the police-community relationship, reception officers were posted at all stations. They were trained to receive complainants in a cordial manner.

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