Cuttack, March 13: Police here have introduced a new coding system for autorickshaws to ensure security of passengers.

In a first-of-its-kind step in the state, cops have begun assigning alphabets to each of the 15 autorickshaw associations in the city. The associations will in turn ensure that each driver or owner under its umbrella display the route marker prominently on the vehicle for easy identification.

The code will have to be displayed both at the front and back of the autorickshaws. The cops have set a target to cover all the 5,000-plus autorickshaws that ply in the city under the new coding system by the end of the year.

The autorickshaw association of Badambadi has already been assigned 'A', while other associations will shortly get their code, a senior traffic police official said.

The concept would allow easy identification of autorickshaws in case of any complaint regarding harassment or misbehaviour by the driver, the cop said.

The system will also do away with the need to remember the vehicle's registration number, the police official said.

Earlier, the cops had issued a guideline for vehicles to have the driver and owner's names, address and telephone number prominently displayed on the rear seat for the passenger's information.

"We have convened a meeting with all the autorickshaw unions for further discussion and assigning the symbols as part of the coding system," said assistant commissioner of police (traffic) P.K. Dalai.

Dalai said the system had been introduced following directions of the traffic management committee. Police commissioner Y.B. Khurania heads the traffic management committee.

Senior traffic officials said there were also plans to create a database of autorickshaws and add numerical codes for each vehicle in subsequent phases.

The police, at a function held on March 10, had introduced a uniform dress code for autorickshaw drivers and started the process of issuing identity cards to them.

"We have started the process of issuing identity cards to the drivers. We have also decided on a sky blue dress for drivers to bring in larger passenger security. This will also bring in more discipline among drivers," said Khurania.

Commuters have also welcomed the new system, as they believe it would streamline traffic management.

"Earlier, it was difficult to remember the vehicle's registration number. But now, we will just need to remember the symbol and driver name," said Omprakash Dash, a commuter.

Dash said the police should also take steps to ensure that the autorickshaws did not carry passengers more than what had been stipulated. Section 32 of the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Police Commissionerate (Traffic and Public Order) Regulations, 2008, stipulates that an autorickshaw can carry only one passenger alongside the driver and three in the backseat.