Sambalpur, May 4: To streamline city traffic, police here have begun to issue identity cards to autorickshaw drivers.

The drive began with the police handing over identity cards to nine autorickshaw drivers at an event yesterday. Over the next two to three days, around 800 autorickshaw drivers, who belong to nine unions, will get their identity cards.

Earlier in January, the police had published registration forms for the drivers to apply for their identity cards.

"If any one is found driving an autorickshaw without the identity card, strict action will be initiated against him," said traffic inspector Siba Prasad Biswal.

Besides, the police have also issued two other certificates to the drivers, which they will have to display in their vehicles. These certificates carry details of the vehicle and the driver. While an A4-size certificate will be displayed on the outer part of the autorickshaw, the other one will be inside the vehicle.

"All the information of the autorickshaw will be displayed in the vehicle. The passengers will be able to know the name of the driver, his licence number, and vehicle owner's name among other details," said Biswal.

"This will help us monitor and regulate autorickshaws in the city. Reckless driving, traffic violation and passenger harassment will now be checked. The passengers will also feel safer," Biswal said.

Commuters had been complaining about the reckless driving by autorickshaw drivers since long. They have welcomed the initiative.

"Reckless driving by autorickshaw drivers has become a major concern for the commuters. Rashly driven autorickshaws have been the reason for several accidents and traffic rule violation. Autorickshaws flouting rules and causing congestion on the roads are common sight," said Amit Thakur, a local resident.

"Thanks to this move, they would certainly develop a sense of discipline, which will help improve the traffic scenario of the city," said Thakur.