Dimapur DC directs taxis, autorickshaws to revert to old rates

Dimapur, March 19 (EMN): Close on the heels of Nagaland Chief Secretary’s notification allowing vehicles to operate with 100% passenger capacity in the state, Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur Rajesh Soundararajan has directed all the taxis and autorickshaws plying in the city to revert to old rates that were charged before the pandemic outbreak.

The chief secretary had earlier stated that the RTAs and DTAs would revisit the existing fare and reduce the rates in view of the vehicles being allowed to operate with full capacity.

Soundararajan stated that the change in fare (reduction) should be implemented with immediate effect till further notice. He added that vehicle owners and passengers should strictly adhere to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) issued by the government.

• SOPs to be followed:
  
• In both private and commercial passenger vehicles, everyone including the Drivers, and Attendants should mandatorily wear mask at all times.
• Vehicle can’t carry more than the total seating capacity and no standing passenger allowed.
• All passenger vehicles should mandatorily maintain a daily log book of all travellers with details: name, phone number, and date of travel.
• Hand sanitiser should be carried at all times and all passengers must sanitise their hands before boarding. The driver and attendant should mandatorily carry appropriate disinfectants and periodically disinfect frequently touched surfaces of the vehicle such as doors and window handles, seats, overhead hand grips, etc.
• The vehicles must be washed daily and disinfected periodically.
• Drivers and attendants will not assemble or gather in groups at bus, taxi, autorickshaw stands.
• The municipal or town council will ensure installation of adequate hand washing facilities like soap and running water or foot-operated alcohol-based hand sanitiser at the bus, taxi, autorickshaw stands and display adequate IEC materials. The municipal or town council in collaboration with concerned unions of passenger vehicles will conduct orientation programme on standard preventive measure for drivers and travellers.