Udupi: The Udupi district Deputy Commissioner (DC) has directed the Regional Transport Authority to introduce separate colour codes for city and rural autorickshaws.

After hearing complaints from a large number of autorickshaw drivers and owners during the Regional Transport Authority and Public grievances meeting at Manipal on Saturday, September 29, DC Priyanka Mary Francis asked the RTO (Regional Transport Officer) to introduce two zones- urban and rural zones.

“The RTO should collect information of both Zone 1 and Zone 2 autorickshaws and submit one copy to the Police department and one to the Regional Transport office. Like in Mangaluru, colour code stickers will be provided to autos of both the zones in order to identify them. Action will be taken against those who violate the respective zone limits,” the DC said.

On the complaint of one Surendra Nayak from Manipal, the DC directed the police to take action against those who ride two-wheelers wearing earphones.

President of the Auto Drivers’ Association, Subraya requested the district administration to put a stop to private businesses lending out two and four wheelers for rent to the public. To this the DC said that there is no law to ban these vehicles. She then told them to place a memorandum before the government in this regard.

Additional Superintendant of Police Kumarachandra and RTO Ramesh Varnekar were present.