The autorickshaw stand at Badambadi in Cuttack. Picture by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, May 20: Police will extend prepaid auto service from three new places — Badambadi, Sishu Bhavan and SCB Medical College and Hospital at Mangalabag — to various parts of the city to provide extra security to commuters from 10pm to 6am.

A senior police official said the service was likely to start with nearly 60 autorickshaws, while the number would be increased in subsequent phases.

“We are planning to start the prepaid auto service at three places very shortly, and it will play a crucial role in providing adequate safety to the commuters,” said deputy commissioner of police Sanjiv Arora.

Arora further said that steps had been initiated for verification of drivers to be engaged in the service, while the route chart and fares would be fixed after a discussion with the local autorickshaw association.

The police will verify the criminal antecedents of the auto drivers and keep a copy of their driving licence before engaging them in the prepaid service. Besides, passengers will also be given a slip in which the registration number of the vehicle and the destination point will be mentioned. Each auto will have to display the driver’s name and his driving licence number near the passenger seat.

Yesterday, members of the traffic management committee, regional transport officer and assistant commissioner of police (traffic) reviewed the existing infrastructure at the three points from where the service will be launched.

“We have fixed May 30 as the deadline for starting the prepaid auto service. The site has already been identified and provision for parking and counters will be established shortly,” said traffic management committee member P.K. Panda.

Panda said the prepaid auto service would help hundreds of passengers and patients, who were facing problems in arranging transport to travel to SCB Medical College and Hospital and Sishu Bhavan during odd hours.

He said that as the service would start from the SCB campus, it could be helpful for those coming for treatment to the hospital. “The prepaid auto service will be helpful in having a crime-free city as it will provide extra security cover to the women and other senior citizens,” Panda said.