Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
With the number of auto-rickshaws in the city crossing 30,000, the state government has suspended the issuance of new permits to control their unchecked growth. The decision, effective from March 9, was announced in Mumbai by transport minister Pratap Sarnaik. The move aims to ease traffic congestion and reduce urban pollution. Large clusters of rickshaws are commonly seen near the railway station, central and CIDCO bus stands, Kranti Chowk, Harsul T-point, Mukundwadi and the university area. Authorities also noted that multiple permits have been issued within single households. The district currently has 29,652 rickshaws. Driver leader Nisar Ahmed Khan termed the decision “good.”