THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State Transport Authority (STA) has decided to grant 'State Permit' to autorickshaws to ply anywhere in the state. The Transport Department will soon issue an order containing detailed guidelines. At present, autorickshaws are allowed to ply only in their respective districts. Verbal permission was also given to run another 20 km in the nearby district. With the decision of STA, henceforth autorickshaws can ply anywhere in Kerala. There is no district barrier or kilometre limit. This will also reduce the trend of taking double charges for long-distance runs in urgent cases. The STA meeting held on July 10 had taken a decision in this regard, but the decision of the meeting was released by the Transport Commissionerate today. Rates have not changed. For night trips and long-distance trips, only half of the meter charge can be taken in addition.

Hot auto

The engine is under the driver's seat in old autorickshaws. By the time the autorickshaw runs for an hour, the engine heats up and the vehicle has to be stopped. It was in this situation that permits for autorickshaws were restricted in their respective districts. The engine is on the back side in the current autorickshaws. They have sophisticated systems. The demand that the permit should be made on a state basis was put in front of the STA in this situation. It was the CITU Madayi Area Committee that had given the application in this regard. This matter came to the meeting as an unofficial agenda. Workers also say that the new autorickshaws can run for up to eight hours continuously.

Would invite accidents

It was expressed in the meeting that autorickshaws are more likely to be involved in accidents when vehicles are speeding, including on bypasses. There was also a written demand before the STA to allow autorickshaws to run up to 30 km in the neighbouring districts if there is an obstacle to the state-based permit. STA has taken a more liberal approach in this regard. Currently, state permits are issued for motor cabs, which are vehicles slightly larger than autorickshaws. Autorickshaws are currently not allowed on express highways. The ban was anticipating an increase in the accident rate.