Acknowledging the link between road accidents and sufficient rest to drivers, TN government has made it mandatory for hotels and lodging houses to provide dormitories for the drivers who accompany the guests. At least one bed should be provided for each car parking space in hotels, along with one separate toilet and bathroom exclusively for every eight beds attached to the dormitory, said an order issued by the State Housing and Urban Development Department. The accommodation is required to be provided either within the premises or within 250 metres from the hotel.From now on, this will be one of the prerequisites for grant of planning permission. The department will also be ensuring that existing hotels take rooms on rent or construct facilities to accommodate the drivers.
Apoorva, secretary, housing and urban development department, came up with this move based on a recommendation made by former Chief Secretary V Irai Anbu.Irai Anbu felt that many preferred to travel long distances to take a break and preferred doing so in their personal vehicles by hiring a driver. However, while they book rooms for themselves, their drivers end up sleeping on verandahs or in cars. Many accidents are caused as they lack proper sleep. Hence, providing dormitories in all hotels and lodges for drivers should be mandatory and a reasonable sum could be collected for it. S Ramaprabhu, committee chairman, Municipal and DTCP, Builders Association of India welcomed the move saying, "some star hotels have this facility, but now even smaller ones will have to provide dormitory facilities." Lalgudi N Srinivasan, joint secretary, Chennai Tourist Taxi Owners Association, said that there were around 40,000 cab drivers in Chennai. "Some hotels are providing dormitories for drivers but making it compulsory is a good move. Drivers do not get quality rest when they are left to sleep in the car," he explained.
TN government has made it mandatory for hotels and lodging houses to provide dormitories for the drivers who accompany the guests.
Lalgudi N Srinivasan, joint secretary, Chennai Tourist Taxi Owners Association, said that there were around 40,000 cab drivers in Chennai. Drivers do not get quality rest when they are left to sleep in the car," he explained.
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