Autos can convert any road into their parking ‘adda’ by erecting a signboard claiming it as an ‘auto-stand’, but officials remain a mute spectators and target only two-wheelers
The auto-drivers overload the autos and fleece the passengers with heavy charges as they do not have any meters
More than 80 per cent of autos arrive from rural areas and causing traffic woes in Karimnagar town, which attained a dubious distinction for narrow roads due to the unscientific execution of roads by so-called BRS leaders
It is surprising to note that the autos are coming from Jangaon district, along with Sircilla, Peddapalli, Jagtial, Siddipet to Karimnagar town
Freshly, the auto-drivers nominated auto-drivers as ‘Traffic volunteer’ by misusing the Traffic Police to encroach the road and convert it into their parking adda
It is time for the officials to restrict the entry of autos coming from other districts into Karimnagar town to ease the traffic menace
KARIMNAGAR, SEPTEMBER 20, 2025: It’s a common complaint that traffic police in many areas disproportionately target two-wheelers while allowing autos and other vehicles to operate without proper enforcement of traffic rules in Karimnagar town. This issue often leads to concerns about fairness and the effectiveness of traffic enforcement efforts.
In some locations, traffic police may be seen as focusing heavily on two-wheelers (motorcycles and scooters), particularly in areas where they are a common mode of transportation. This can create the impression that they are prioritising enforcement against this type of vehicle, while autos and other vehicles may be allowed to violate rules with less consequence
Even as the Karimnagar City has been proclaimed as ‘Smart City’ and progressing in leaps and bounds with the addition of several villages into the fold of Karimnagar Municipal Corporation and addition of several new vehicles on to the roads daily, thanks to the ‘so-called visionary’ leaders of Karimnagar town, the wide roads have been converted into narrow roads adding to the woes of the people of the town.
The existing roads were narrowed by constructing footpaths, which have become a safe-haven for the traders and others to encroach and cause nuisance in the town and no pedestrians are allowed to walk on them. Besides, the unruly auto-rickshaw menace is yet another issue which has been added to the Karimnagar city residents’ woes.
The autos encroach on the narrow roads by parking their vehicles illegally, causing traffic snarls in various parts of the town. Name any locality, and the autos have their own ‘addas’ (auto stands) by erecting the signboards claiming the auto stand numbers. Ironically, none of the officials, such as the traffic, municipality or transport authorities, have allocated the ‘auto stands’. But, the auto-wallahs on their own erect the signboard and claim that the area belongs to them as their ‘adda’ and encroach ton he roads causing traffic snarls.
For example, the RTC authorities had allocated site for the autos to park on their premises to pick up the commuters. But, the auto-wallahs created around six parking lots around the RTC bus station complex, causing umpteen woes to the vehicle-users as well as the commuters of the RTC. They encroached the ZP office area, opposite to the bus stand area (entry point), the road towards Prathima multiplex, the out-gate and in-gate of bus station complex at the bus station complex and opposite the JK medical store.
Incidentally, the auto-wallahs had appointed so-called ‘Volunteers’ wearing a T-shirt carrying the image of Traffic Police volunteer and wielding a stick to encroach the road and convert it into their parking ‘Addas’ that too in the glaring presence of Traffic cops. These so-called volunteers can be seen in front of the RTC bus station complex, JK medical store, DCCB bank, Mancherial crossroads and other locations in Karimnagar town. It is learnt that the auto-wallahs provide daily Rs 700 to the so-called ‘Traffic Police Volunteer’ to encroach road and cause nuisance to the other road users.
It is also shocking to see that the auto-wallahs have erected a sign board in front of the Collectorate claiming that it is their ‘auto-stand’ and park their vehicles illegally. The autos park vehicles haphazardly and would not allow the mandatory ‘free-left’ movement of the vehicles at the traffic junctions.
“The autos are not a menace. They are remorseless, utter morons. They ferry overloaded passengers illegally against the norms of carrying only three persons in an auto. Besides, the reckless driving and abrupt stoppages by them in the middle of the roads cause accidents. They also fleece the commuters at their will as there are no meters”, said a representative of Lok Satta Udyama Samstha.
Lok Satta Udyama Samstha Karimnagar town convenor K S Narayana demanded that the district authorities should check the auto menace or else utter chaos would prevail in the future in Karimnagar. How can one encroach the narrow road by erecting a signboard claiming that it is an auto stand and cause nuisance to road users and pedestrians, he asked.
Taking advantage of the lethargy on the part of officials, auto drivers are erecting signboards illegally and converting roadsides into auto-stands and causing inconvenience to pedestrians and other road-users. It is high time to take action against the autos for violating the traffic rules.
