Agartala, June 18, 2025: The Tripura Transport Department on Tuesday announced a significant decision aimed at addressing the growing dissatisfaction among Agartala residents regarding the auto-rickshaw service, particularly concerning operations by vehicles from outside subdivisions.
Addressing a press conference at Civil Secretariat in Agartala city on Tuesday afternoon, Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury said, “The increasing complaints from the public and working-class commuters in Agartala have made it clear that the current system is causing confusion and conflict on the ground.”
To tackle this issue, a high-level meeting was held on June 10, chaired by Minister Chowdhury himself, which included senior officials from the Transport Department, the IG of Law and Order, Traffic Superintendent, and officials from both police and general administration. Leaders of motor workers’ unions and auto syndicates also participated.
“One of the major concerns is that autos from outside subdivisions like Jirania, Mohanpur, and Bishalgarh often enter Agartala city, sometimes with patients or passengers, which leads to fines by police and even quarrels with city-based auto drivers. This not only disrupts law and order but causes inconvenience to the general public,” Chowdhury said.
In order to clearly distinguish between city-based and outside autos, a decision was taken to paint the front part of all Agartala city meter autos in pink. Subdivision autos will retain their existing color. However, exceptions will be made for autos entering the city to drop patients or air passengers, he added.
“Legal action will be taken if autos from outside the city are found operating within Agartala without valid reasons. When too many foreign autos enter the city, it worsens the traffic congestion,” Chowdhury warned.
The minister urged all city-based auto drivers to complete the color change within one month, and appealed to auto drivers from outside subdivisions to respect the decision and cooperate with the administration.
“This measure is not just about enforcement, but about ensuring smoother traffic management and easing the daily lives of our citizens,” Chowdhury emphasized.
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✅ What’s Good About the Decision
1. Visual Identification: Coloring city autos makes enforcement easier for traffic police to spot unauthorized vehicles operating inside Agartala.
2. Immediate Conflict Reduction: Reduces quarrels between city and subdivision auto drivers by creating clear operational boundaries.
3. Traffic Decongestion Attempt: Limits inflow of autos from outside, which may help reduce city congestion.
4. Special Allowance: Sensible exceptions for medical emergencies and air passengers show humane policymaking.
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❌ What’s Missing / The Limitations
1. Root Cause Ignored: It does not solve the core issue—why commuters rely on outside autos in the first place. Is there a shortage of city autos? Are they refusing passengers? Are fares too high?
2. Traffic and Parking Regulation Still Needed: Without better parking zones, traffic discipline, and auto stands, congestion will persist even with colored autos.
3. No Long-Term Mobility Plan: This is a symbolic fix. Real urban mobility demands a city-level traffic and public transport plan involving e-rickshaws, buses, cycle lanes, pedestrian zones.
4. Law Enforcement Challenges: Policing auto routes without harassment or corruption is difficult; visual identification alone doesn’t ensure smooth enforcement.
5. No Tech-Based Monitoring: There’s no mention of GPS tracking, smart auto permits, or route allocation—tools that many cities now use.
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✅ Suggested Improvements:
Conduct a citywide mobility audit to assess demand vs. supply of autos.
Introduce fixed auto routes and stands, possibly with digital queuing apps or tokens.
Strengthen public bus services to reduce dependency on autos.
Promote green mobility (e-autos, cycling, walking).
Educate drivers & passengers through awareness campaigns, not just enforcement.