Rourkela, Jan. 11: Autorickshaws are found parked on the designated bus bays meant for picking up passengers across the city.

"We don't confront the auto owners as they are ever ready to pick up a fight," said a bus driver, requesting anonymity. Drivers of many private buses, which ply within the city, are also of the same opinion.

"They are always found in a group, and twice I was heckled by them," said another driver.

Consequently, the bus drivers are forced to park their vehicles almost on the roads.

Rourkela has five bus bays, two of them are at Sector 2 in the Biju Patnaik Chowk area, two at Bisra Chowk and one at the Sector 7 intersection. Besides, there are three bus stands at Sector 20, Ambagaon and Chhend.

All of these are located on the Ring Road. Incidentally, the autorickshaw stands are mostly situated at Sector 2 and Bisra.

"The auto drivers often pick up quarrel with commuters, who are waiting for the buses," said a lady commuter.

Dayananda Subudhi, who goes to Rourkela Steel Plant on a regular basis, said: "I prefer avoiding these two places and catch a bus before or after the auto stands. The auto drivers pester me and even pass sarcastic comments."

The situation is no different at the Rourkela Club intersection. The bus bay is on the edge of a turn, which opens to the Ring Road from the water plant. One can see at least three autos parked on the opening. Only the bus bay at Sector 7 is free from encroachment. Besides, employees at the ticket counter do not allow them to come near it.

The situation of the bus stands at Ambagaon and Chhend is no better. Particularly at Ambagaon Square, the autorickshaw owners will come out of their stand and park the three-wheelers in front of the bus stand, resulting in a congestion. As a result of this, many commuters avoid the stand.

When this was brought to the notice of the assistant commandant Siva Singh, who is in charge of the traffic department, said: "From time to time, we have collected huge fines from them. However, they are always back in a couple of days. In a day or two, we are planning to launch a crackdown for a fortnight, so that they are forced obey the rules."

"We understand the problem, but it is our livelihood. We also need passengers," said Deva Das, another autorickshaw driver.