Autorickshaw drivers turned up at the district magistrate’s janata durbar on Thursday to demand earmarked zones in the city to stop their vehicles and pick up or drop passengers.

Traffic police, on the directions of the district administration, will launch a drive from June 15 during which autorickshaw drivers would be fined for traffic violations. Members of the Auto Men’s Union put their demand before district magistrate (DM) N. Saravana Kumar in view of the upcoming drive.

Led by general secretary Ajay Kumar Patel, the union members alleged that the police seize their vehicles claiming the drivers do not carry proper documents and they have to go to the police station concerned to clear the dues and get their vehicles released.

Presenting the union’s application to the DM, Patel said: “Sir, we do not have any auto stand in the city. There are no specific places identified too where we can pick up or drop passengers. Absence of these facilities makes several autorickshaw drivers stop at places of their choice.”

According to the Motor Vehicles Act, an autorickshaw driver cannot park the vehicle at any place of their choice or stop anywhere to pick up or drop passengers. Apart from the Motor Vehicles Act, the district administration has also issued its own set of orders. They include mentioning the name of the autorickshaw owner, his mobile number and the vehicle’s registration number on the three-wheeler. In the application, the union demanded permanent auto stands and identification of places to stop the vehicles for passengers. Patel, accompanied by the union’s president Subodh Kumar, secretary Manoj Kumar Prabhakar and member Harvansh Kumar, also accused the police of harassment in spite of the drivers having the proper documents. Patel said: “The traffic police must make a seizure list on the spot instead of asking us (autorickshaw drivers) to visit the police station. The traffic police officials even demand money from the drivers.”

Soon after, the members left the durbar with assurances of the district magistrate to look into the matter. DM Kumar, told The Telegraph: “We are working on a plan to make an autorickshaw stand in the city. The Patna Municipal Corporation and superintendent of police have been asked to prepare a plan. As far as earmarking places in the city to stop autorickshaws for passengers are concerned, some have already been identified. The rest will be done soon.”

He, however, issued caveats in addressing the autorickshaw union’s demands. “First, the auto owners have to follow the order of the district administration or face strict action. Details of the autorickshaw owner should be properly displayed. The drivers also cannot play vulgar songs and must keep a light on inside the vehicle after sundown. They should also install an iron bar on the right side of the vehicle so that passengers cannot alight from there. It is quite dangerous.”

Later, when The Telegraph told the auto union members about the district magistrate’s order, president Subodh Kumar said: “We do not have any problem in following the orders of the district administration. We will make sure every autorickshaw driver registered with the union follows the orders strictly. But our concerns should also be addressed.”