In order to reduce the growing traffic congestion across Agartala, the Transport department will allow all auto-rickshaws with permits for the areas in Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) to now be colour-coded in pink.

Addressing a press conference, Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury along with officials of Transport and police departments at Civil Secretariat in Agartala on Tuesday afternoon said that a high-level meeting was held on June 10 at the secretariat with officials from the Transport Department, Health Department, and Traffic Department, to discuss the growing menace of unauthorized autos in Agartala Municipal Corporation areas.

Following this, the department on Tuesday highlighting the decisions of the meeting said that  to maintain discipline in auto operations in the AMC area, autos will now be color-coded in pink, which have permits for operations only in AMC areas. This move is aimed at regulating the uncontrolled operation of autos, especially in the Agartala city area, said Chowdhury.

Moreover, strict rules will be introduced for operating autos within the AMC area. If any auto wants to operate within the city limits, it must get proper permission from the concerned authority. For example, autos that transport patients to hospitals will need official permits. For this, a list will be compiled with support from health centers and hospitals.

Pink autos will be operated in designated locations only and with this objective ,all types of autos will be brought under a structured monitoring system, said Chowdhury and added that  steps will be taken to inform auto owners that failing to comply with the rules will lead to cancellation of permits. If an auto is found operating without permission or violating guidelines, strict legal action will be taken, said the Minister.

The Transport Minister added that many personal registered vehicles (such as private cars) are being used to transport school students, teachers, and office staff, which is illegal without a valid commercial license.

The Department of Education has already been requested to notify schools and ensure student safety by verifying the licenses of such transport providers. Vehicles transporting school children must comply with government regulations and possess valid transport permits, said Chowdhury.

He appealed to vehicle owners to follow legal protocols and unauthorized vehicles used for commercial purposes must obtain proper permits from the Transport Department. A monitoring committee has been formed to ensure law enforcement within the Agartala Municipal Corporation area, said Chowdhury and urged the owners of autos with permits of plying in AMC areas, should colour their vehicles with pink in front.

During the press meet,  Secretary of the Transport Department, UK Chakma, Additional Secretary of Transport department,  Subrata Chowdhury, IG (Law and Order) Ipper Manchak and SP(Traffic) Kanta Jahangir.