Mumbai, 09 Mar (HS): The Maharashtra Government has

withheld permits to new auto-rickshaw, as new policy for the auto-rickshaw

operations is being prepared.

Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik told

medic persons that frequent traffic jams in major cities including Mumbai due

to very high number of auto-rickshaws. In Maharashtra about 14 lakh auto-rickshaw

permits have been issued. The Transport Department has received several complaints

which include more than one permit in the same family, permits issued illegally

to Bangladeshi nationals, permits issued illegally etc. In an effort to make

the system more transparent, new rules are being framed. The decision to

withhold issuing new permits is temporary. ASfter the new policy permits will

be issued based on requirements in any particular region.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Ajay Vasant Mardikar