Auto meters fare well sans space

Auto meters fare well sans space
Vijay Times

Bangalore: Parking space constraints have undermined the efforts of the Legal Metrology Department in ensuring that autorickshaw meters are not tampered with.

Following revision of auto fares recently , the department has been sealing fare meters after recalibration. This involves sealing all three points in the autorickshaw .

In an autorickshaw , meters are tampered with by adjusting any of the three points - the fare meter itself, the adaptor in the rear near the engine and the gear wheel situated in the front portion, within easy reach of the driver . Resealing ensures recalibrated meters are not tampered with after the new fares are installed in each meter .

According to sources in the department and autorickshaw drivers’ unions, space constraints at the premises of the sealing offices prevent auto drivers in taking their vehicles for resealing. Hence, meter recalibrators carry only two points to the department as the gear wheel point is nondetachable from the vehicle. This point, which remains unsealed, gives scope for tampering with the meters even on certification after sealing.

There are seven sealing offices in the City - one each in Indiranagar BDA complex, Koramangala BDA complex and Jayanagar (at a temporary office near Minerva Circle), two in Rajajinagar and two in Y eshwanthpur .

All these premises offer little space for autorickshaws to line up for sealing the points after recalibration.

Somashekar , president of Bangalore Auto Drivers Union, said due to this, auto drivers cheat unsuspecting commuters by tampering with the gear wheel.

K N Seetharamappa, Assistant Controller , Legal Metrology (Auto & T axi Unit), admitted there was severe shortage of space to park autorickshaws for resealing and the repairers were asked to ferry the points after recalibration.



* Department sealing fare meters after recalibration
* Sealing of 3 points in autos to prevent tampering
* The fare meter itself , the adaptor in the rear near the engine, the gear wheel situated in the front portion,
* Process involves taking autos to the dept office