Following the High Court order, the Delhi Transport department issued a warning to auto-rickshaws and two wheelers, saying the ‘Certificate of Fitness’ will not be issued to vehicles found without the ‘rear view mirror’ with AIS No.001 or fitted improperly. Many vehicles especially the three-wheelers have been found with rear-view mirrors fixed inside the vehicle due to which the driver does not see the oncoming vehicles and that results in mishaps.

Though the Delhi Traffic Police which has been directed to issue challans if found any vehicle violating the norms but they have not taken any action in this regard. A reality check by The Pioneer has found that there are hundreds of three wheelers which are violating the norm by folding the mirror inside the auto.

“Rules under 62 of the Central motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 specify the conditions for validity of the Certificate of Fitness to be issued by the Department of Transport, to all vehicles plying in Delhi. It is noted that majority of Auto Rickshaws being run in Delhi have mandatory exterior rear-view mirrors turned inwards into the vehicles in clear violations of the rules. Now it is hereby ordered that the exterior rear - view mirrors are at all times fixed outside the body of the motor vehicles including the Auto Rickshaw. Necessary action under the MV Act shall be taken against the TSRs not following the condition,” stated the order issued by the Delhi Transport Department.

After witnessing a fatal accident involving a five year old child in east Delhi, the High Court in December last year asked the Delhi traffic Police to take serious action towards the vehicles especially the Auto-rickshaw (three wheeler) and two-wheelers found without the ‘rear-view mirror’ fitted outside the vehicles.

“The certificate of fitness for playing such vehicles would not be issued by the department of Transport, unless the external rear-view mirrors are wielded to the body of th vehicles from outside,” stated the order further.

 The Pioneer visited various places of Delhi such as INA, RK Puram, Delhi University, ITO, Delhi Secretariat, Mayur Vihar, Akshardam, Civil lines and Model Town it has been found that more than more than ten auto-rickshaws found plying with rear view mirror folded inside the vehicles instead of outside.

When asked about it, Delhi Traffic Police officials said, “We have issued a circular following the court order and the traffic police ‘must be’ taking action,” said a senior traffic official.

An auto- rickshaw driver who wished not to be named, said, “Earlier, I also fitted the rear view mirror inside my auto as it was broken when installed outside. Many a time’s people carelessly break the mirrors. But when I went to get the fitness certificate in Burari, the staffs explained that fitness certificate will not be issued. Awareness is important as we people are un-educated. Traffic Police never explains things smoothly to us, he lamented,