PATIALA, Jan 29: The Patiala Municipal Corporation has decided to launch a special campaign against unlicensed rehris and rickshaws in the city, with a view to ease traffic congestion. No new licences for rehris and rickshaws would be issued in view of the overcrowding these have caused in the city.In an interview with CN here today, Harkesh Singh Sidhu, Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation, said fresh conditions had been laid down for renewal of licences of the rehris and rickshaws already plying in the city. Now, licences of only those persons would be renewed who either had a ration card or a photo identity voter card. This was being done to ensure that only bonafide residents were given licences and anti-social elements weeded out.He said at present there were 4,800 licenced rickshaws, 2,942 rehris rickshaws, 1,690 hand-pulled rehris, 541 rehras (carts) pulled by mules, 22 tongas and 58 buffalo-pulled rehras. However, according to unofficial sources, there are an equal number or even more of such unlicenced vehicles plying in the city. Due to this, traffic bottlenecks are becoming a routine affair. Under the drive, the impounded vehicles would be released only on payment of a heavy penalty which would act as a deterrent. The commissioner said that no rehri would be allowed to be parked at any spot. Action would be taken against those parking their rehris in busy market areas. No vendor would be allowed to park his vehicle at a fixed spot to do business.
