'I understand the problems faced by commuters'.

Byline: Nilima Pathak, Correspondent

New Delhi: After years of suffering, commuters in Delhi seem to have got the right man on the job. Transport Minister Arvinder Singh Lovely has made it clear that he won't bend in front of any kind of pressure tactics of the autorickshaw owners and drivers unions.

First it was reigning in Blueline buses that had created havoc on city's roads and now it is the turn of autorickshaw drivers to face the minister's ire. The recent two-day flash strike by three-wheeler drivers had left commuters stranded and caused inconvenience to incoming and outbound passengers in the city.

Fuming over the situation, the minister flung the new charter of demands submitted to him by auto drivers. Refusing to succumb to the "unreasonable and illogical demands" of autorickshaw unions he refused to budge from his stance and ordered action against the erring drivers, which had brought relief to the commuters. "We shall impound the autos if they continue to break the rules," Lovely had said.

Starting next month, the transport department will ask autorickshaw drivers and owners to get smart card-based permits within a set time. The biometric details, along with their photographs, will be recorded on the smart cards. The permits of all those who fail to turn up will be cancelled and reissued to others. The crackdown on licence- and permit-less drivers has sent strong signals to those holding the city to ransom for the past several years.

Expecting support from commuters and urging them to cooperate with him in his endeavour, Arvinder Singh Lovely spoke to Gulf News in an exclusive interview.

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Gulf News: How did the recent autorickshaw strike fizzle out after two days, although the auto drivers threatened an indefinite strike if their demands were not met?

Arvinder Singh Lovely: We told them very categorically to mend their ways, for they have been given permits to serve the public, not to harass them. If they do not run the vehicles according to the law, we shall cancel their permits. Once these points were made clear, they were back on the roads. But that has not solved the harassment issue, as people are still suffering.

The decision was not taken by us all of a sudden. I had waited for 6-7 months and was having talks with several autorickshaw union leaders all this while. Only now orders were given to the department to tighten things and bring them on the right track. Since the issues worried them, they went on a flash strike and it took us time to make alternate arrangements.

For genuine problems, the doors of our government are always open. But if these three-wheeler drivers continue harassing the commuters or put pressure on the government, we will not listen to them.

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Autorickshaw drivers say that you outrightly rejected their demands?

All their demands were totally illogical and that's why none were considered. How can we allow them to run autos without meters or if the autos are not road worthy? They don't want us to punish them if they run the vehicles without a driving licence. We certainly cannot allow them to put the lives of commuters in danger. That was the reason I didn't give them a hearing. I hold a very strong opinion on this issue that people in the wrong need to be dealt with firmly. No one will be spared.

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Should we consider the recent strike a wake up call for the transport minister or is it a warning for all concerned to pull up their socks because the minister means business?

Being a Delhiite, I understand the problems of the commuters. On taking up the post as transport minister, I had set two priorities. One, to phase out Blueline buses and the second to streamline autorickshaws and taxis in the city. I have sent a clear cut message that I mean no-nonsense. If three-wheelers have to ply in Delhi, they have to go by the rule book. I also appeal to the people of Delhi to bear with us, as I am acting on their complaints and for their comfort. In the long run, it will be better for them to face difficulties for some days rather than being taken for a ride and be looted as has been happening for the past many years.

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What drives are being taken to maintain proper records of the autorickshaw owners?

We are going in for a total revamp. For instance, a person is allotted a permit to run an autorickshaw. After some time, he sells the auto to someone and in many cases the auto has changed many hands. In the process, the authority does not have the latest record. So, on breaking a rule, when the challan (penalty slip) is sent, it goes to the original allottee, who has nothing to do with it. And since it does not reach the erring owner of the vehicle, he is least bothered about the rules or the punishment.

We have now told all auto owners to get their vehicles registered under the correct addresses and they should be accompanied with the original allottee so that our data base is organised, as we also plan to provide biometric cards to all drivers to maintain proper records. If they do not get registered afresh, they will not be given physical fitness certificate.

We also plan to install GPS system in all autos, so that they can be tracked and dealt with whenever there is any complaint.

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How many auto unions are there? Isn't it a fact that many union leaders run parallel businesses and the sufferer during the strike are those who depend on this mode of transport to earn a living?

There are about 30 to 40 unions and among them there are some good unions also who even this time did not want to join the strike. Few drivers who dared to operate during those two days were beaten up by other union members. But I must also say that the Delhi Police did not take appropriate action and measures and out of fear many who had nothing to do with the strike did not come out on the roads.

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You recently mentioned plans of introducing radio taxis in the 'small-car category'?

This is one of the options we have been considering if three-wheeler drivers do not see sense. We can always replace autos with small cars and charge the same amount as autos. But I would want the auto owners to set things right, as we do not have anything personal against them.

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Launched with much fanfare, the Radio Cabs are yet to give efficient services. The drivers are all set to fleece the passengers. Often their meters do not run. The vehicle doors are jammed. The drivers do not know the routes. They do not reach in time. The oft repeated complain is they were not given sufficient time to reach the venue?

This is an alarming situation. I was not aware of any such a problem. I am glad this has been brought to my notice. I shall certainly look into it soon. In fact, I intend calling the Commissioner of Police to arrange a meeting of all the cab operators and we shall see that things are streamlined soon. We plan refresher course and soft skill programmes for them on how to deal with passengers and they should be able to understand some English.

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What is the status of women taxi drivers? Even after several years of the launch they are never seen on the roads?

Right now we do not have a substantial number of women taxi drivers. They must come forward as we are ready to give them licences. I would also like to have women bus drivers and conductors in the Delhi Transport Corporation buses.

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Will that time ever come in Delhi when a commuter will be able to hail a cab on the road to reach his destination?

Unfortunately, in Delhi, three-wheelers have taken the place of taxis. Although meant for travelling short distances, autos are driving 50-60km. They were not meant to, but travel even across the city. At some stage, I do hope, we will be able to change autos with cabs.

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How much time would you give yourself to set the city's transport system in order?

It's a difficult task, but I hope to set things right in the next two years. One can't turn things around within that span, but improvement is bound to happen.

Timeline: From youth leader to Transport Minister

Arvinder Singh Lovely was born on December 11, 1968.

Graduated in political science from Shri Guru Teg Bahadur Khalsa College, University of Delhi.

Elected to the Students Union of the College.

Appointed General Secretary, Delhi Pradesh Youth Congress 1990.

Became General Secretary of the All India National Student Union 1992-96.

Elected to the Delhi Legislative Assembly 1998.

Became Minister of Education and Tourism 2003.Aa

Won the Delhi Legislative Assembly elections in 2008 and became Minister of Transport.

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