Dimapur, March 24 (MExN): Following the State government’s order on March 19 permitting all vehicles to operate with 100% passenger capacity, Dimapur DC Rajesh Soundararajan on Wednesday suspended the transport fare rates revised during the COVID-19 induced lockdown in the district with immediate effect.
All taxis and auto rickshaws have been directed to only charge as per the earlier existing rates issued on August 23, 2017 till further notice, the DC’s order stated.
In the 2017 order, the Regional Transport Authority Dimapur revised the fare for auto rickshaw within Dimapur city, with effect from September 1, 2017. Auto rickshaw fare for town trip was fixed at Rs 40 and fares for different parking lots were also revised.
The DC’s order on Wednesday also included certain safety conditions to be strictly adhered to.
In both private and commercial passenger vehicles, everyone including the drivers and attendants have been directed to mandatorily wear mask at all times. No passenger shall be allowed to travel without mask worn correctly, the order stated.
Vehicles have also been barred from carrying more than the total seating capacity. There should not be any standing passenger in any vehicle, it added.
All passenger vehicles are to mandatorily maintain a daily log book of all travelers with details including name, phone number and date of travel.
Hand sanitizer is to be carried at all times and all passengers must sanitize their hands before boarding. The driver/attendant shall mandatorily carry appropriate disinfectants and periodically disinfect frequently touched surfaces of the vehicle such as doors and window handles, scats, overhead hand grips etc, the DC’s order stated. Vehicles must be washed daily and disinfected periodically, it added.
Drivers/attendants have also been barred from assembling or gathering in groups at bus/taxi/auto rickshaw stands.
The Municipal/Town Council has been entrusted to ensure installation of adequate hand washing facilities -soap and running water or foot-operated alcohol-based hand sanitizer at the bus/taxi/auto rickshaw stand and display adequate IEC materials (posters/ pamphlets/flex banners).
The Municipal/Town Council in collaboration with concerned Union/Association of passenger vehicles has also been directed to conduct orientation programme on standard preventive measures for drivers and travelers. Necessary technical support will be provided by District Task Force, as per the DC’s order.
Failure to comply with the order will attract penal provisions as per law, it cautioned.
