Safety first: Auto-rickshaws to be fitted with IOT devices, panic button in Vizag

Visakhapatnam: The transport department has decided to install electronic IOT devices in auto-rickshaws in a bid to improve the safety of passengers while travelling during the night in Vizag city.

This would be taken up on a pilot basis.

The auto-rickshaw will have a panic button for passengers and this will be integrated with the main command control room. As a result, auto-rickshaws can be tracked on a real-time basis during emergencies.

The project would be implemented by the Transport department. Police have offered to extend help to the transport department in this initiative in terms of antecedent verification of auto drivers.

On Friday, police held a meeting with the auto-rickshaw unions to discuss the issues cropping up due to the flouting of rules by the drivers.

Police officials also made it clear that only those auto-rickshaws having police verification will be allowed to ply during the night in the city.

Unions also suggested that the police should issue station wise numbers to all autos for better monitoring.

“There are over 15000 auto drivers in the city. If each person starts sharing information, crimes can be prevented. This can range from crime against women, robberies to simple non-fatal accidents on account of drunken driving," said Aishwarya Rastogi, DCP (Law and Order).

The cops also advised unions to practice self-regulation and self-discipline in terms of parking, behavior with passengers, and driving etiquettes.