Delhi govt considering setting up halt-and-go auto stands

The Delhi Government is mulling setting up halt-and-go auto stands on the roads of Public Works Department (PWD), a move aimed at fulfilling a long- standing demand of the city's auto-rickshaw drivers.
Transport Minister Satyendar Jain has directed Public Works Department (PWD) to undertake a feasibility study on setting up new halt-and-go auto stands on its 1,260 km roads.
There are about 85,000 auto-rickshaws plying in the national capital but only 300 auto stands have been set up to pick up commuters.
Auto-rickshaw drivers often complained that traffic police impose fine on them for parking their vehicles and picking up passengers at "unauthorised stands".

"The minister has directed the PWD Secretary to conduct a feasibility study on the setting up of new auto stands on all PWD roads.
"After study report, government will set up these stands to facilitate auto-rickshaw drivers so that they are not harassed by concerned authorities," said a senior government official.

Rajendra Soni, General Secretary of Delhi Autorickshaw Sangh, has welcomed the government's move to make halt-and-go stand, saying it will cater to thousands of auto drivers.
Acknowledging auto-rickshaw drivers' role in his poll victory in the Assembly elections last year, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had announced that 425 halt-and-go auto stands would be set up, where five auto drivers can park their vehicles at a time.

"It was a long-standing demand to make halt-and-go stand for auto drivers as police used to beat them for parking on the road. We have already made 100 and will make total 425 auto stands across Delhi," Kejriwal had said while addressing auto-rickshaw drivers' rally in North Delhi's Burari.