An auto stand in Sakchi on Wednesday. Picture by Bhola Prasad

Auto-rickshaw drivers in Jamshedpur are going to don a new look. Like their counterparts in Ranchi, around 22,000 autowallahs of the steel city will have to wear deep blue uniforms from mid-June.

The district traffic police has already submitted a proposal to this effect to East Singhbhum additional district magistrate (law and order) Ajit Shanker and are hoping for an approval and formal order soon.

According to police sources, the administration’s decision would be made known to the auto operators’ associations within a day or two. The traffic police do not expect much opposition from them as a dress code is already in practice in Ranchi.

Also, a similar directive was issued for drivers of private buses in March. Their colour is, however, khaki.

“We will intimate our decision to all leaders who have come forward to espouse the cause of the auto drivers in recent weeks. The dress code is aimed at providing an identity to auto drivers. This is necessary for the safety of over two lakh commuters as well,” said a senior traffic inspector.

East Singhbhum deputy superintendent of police (traffic) R.M. Sinha said they would be holding meetings with the auto associations before announcing a date for the launch of their uniform.

“We will be discussing with them the pros and cons of a dress code. The auto drivers will also be asked to display badge numbers provided by the East Singhbhum district transport department properly. We plan to implement the new rules in the district by mid-June,” the DSP said, adding violators will be fined Rs 500.

Five police stations — Bistupur, Sakchi, Golmuri, Mango and Jugsalai — will be notified about the launch date so that checking can be carried out simultaneously at various traffic intersections of the city.

General secretary of Sikshit Berozgar Tempo Chalak Evam Sanchalak Sangh Shyam Kinkar Jha welcomed the move to introduce uniforms for auto drivers, but said that their “genuine problems” should be addressed before implementing the dress code.

“We do not have a problem with the dress code. However, the administration should first earmark proper stoppages for autos and also sort out our permit issues,” he said.

Auto operators have been up in arms against the police for levying a fine of Rs 5,000 for violating permit rules. They also allege that the police are harassing drivers for stopping vehicles in no-parking zones.