Permission given for autos to ply up to the CMDA limits

In a significant move, the Transport Commissioner, A. Shanmugha Sundaram, has issued an order allowing autos registered in Chennai District Transport offices to ply within the Chennai Metropolitan Area (CMA) limits. The circular, sent out by the transport commissioner, emphasizes the need for autos registered in Chennai district transport offices to obtain approval from the concerned district transport officer to travel beyond the city limits, including areas such as Chengalpet. The order becomes particularly noteworthy as Chennai’s boundaries have been extended to encompass Chengalpet, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and other areas. This extension means that autos registered in local transport offices, including those in Chennai, are no longer restricted from entering the Chennai Metropolitan Area. Furthermore, the circular directs the issuance of licenses that permit autos to freely operate within the CMA defined by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA). The decision comes as a relief for auto drivers who were previously at risk of facing fines for crossing city limits. By allowing autos to travel freely within the expanded Chennai boundaries, the order aims to facilitate smoother mobility for these vehicles within the CMDA limits, providing convenience for both residents and businesses. This move has garnered positive reactions from various quarters, with Mr. S. Balasubramaniam, Executive President of the TN Auto Workers Union (CITU), and A. Zahir Hussain, General Secretary of the Right Voice Drivers Union, expressing their support for the decision. The unions welcomed the order as a step toward addressing concerns faced by auto drivers and facilitating more seamless transportation within the extended Chennai Metropolitan Area. @@@@