The Dhanbad district transport department on Sunday allotted passes to 667 auto rickshaws to ply within the town as per new regulations that are to come into effect from Monday, prompting those left out to launch a stir.

As per the new regulations, the Dhanbad administration has restricted the number of autos to be allowed to ply in the town from 8,000 to 1,500. But only 667 operators were able to submit all the required documents like vehicle fitness certificate, pollution NOC and the driver's licence.

Hence, permits for Dhanbad were issued only to 667 autos.

But various auto drivers' and operators' associations, representing those who were left out, carried out demonstrations at the district transport office and termed the administration action as hasty. The members of these associations demanded more time to update their documents.

They also accused the transport authority of being arbitrary in their judgement about the authenticity and validity of documents. Many auto drivers with "genuine" papers were denied Dhanbad permits, they alleged.

District transport officer Om Prakash Yadav said, “Though 667 autos have submitted all documents and have been provided passes, others will also be provided passes as soon as they submit the relevant documents.”

Talking to The Telegraph Online today, Chhotan Singh, President of Jharkhand Diesel Auto Chalak Mahasangh, said “We are protesting against the anomalies in scrutiny of papers as several auto rickshaw registered at other districts have been provided passes while others have not been provided passes.”

Sunil Singh, President of Jharkhand Pariwahan Mazdoor Union, said, “The regulations are being imposed without proper homework. The authorities have sought auto papers through unions. But many auto drivers are not affiliated to any union. Hence, they have been deprived of the opportunity to get passes despite having the valid documents.”

In all, six routes have been fixed by the administration as per the new regulations for the entire district. Each route has been divided into several parts restricting the entry of long-distance autos into Dhanbad town.

A dress code for auto drivers has also been made mandatory. As per the new regulation, drivers will have to wear sky blue shirts and black trousers. Besides, all auto rickshaws will have to paste stickers on the windscreen and the rear screen mentioning the route they are playing in.