Jamshedpur: From Thursday next, auto-rickshaws will have to follow a strict set of passenger safety rules failing which stern action will be taken against the drivers. In retaliation, the operators have threatened to increase the fare citing rising fuel costs.

The district administration issued the set of guidelines on Friday, a day after a marathon meeting with auto-rickshaw owners and drivers here.

The directives include prominently displaying the driver's name, photo, mobile and registration numbers at two places inside the vehicle, ideally behind the driver's seat and on the left side for better view of passengers.

The administration has also made it clear that no music system and extra decorative fittings will be allowed inside the vehicle and iron rods will have to be fixed on the right side to ensure that passengers boarded only from the left.

Installation of a medical kit, pasting reflective tapes on the front and the rear of the vehicle and permission to carry a maximum of five passengers are also part of the rules.

"We have been getting regular complaints from people saying auto-rickshaws drivers don't possess licence, play deafening music, overload passengers and even indulge in eve-teasing. This prompted us to hold a meeting with senior drivers at my office on Thursday night. All of them agreed to comply with the directives which was officially issued on Friday," said city SP Prabhat Kumar.

Passengers welcomed the move.

"Drivers playing loud music is a major irritant. They also talk on their phones while driving which is dangerous. The directives are welcome," said Reeta Bose, a Bhalubhasa resident.

Although auto-rickshaw operators agreed to abide by the rules, they threatened to hike fares in the near future.

"We will comply with the rules but with rising fuel prices it is not possible to run with only five passengers. We might have to raise the fares soon," said Shyam Kinkar Jha, general secretary of Sikshit Berozgar Tempo Chalak Sanchalak Sangh.

There are nearly 20,000 auto-rickshaw operators in and around the city.

Traffic cops warned of strict checking after May 17.

"We have instructed our personnel at all the five traffic posts (Sakchi, Golmuri, Bistupur, Mango and Jugsalai) to carry out checking of auto-rickshaws. The violators would be fined as per MVI norms," said DSP traffic Vivekananda Thakur.