Make digital meters a must for all autos: RTA to Govt

Make digital meters a must for all autos: RTA to Govt
By P M Raghunandan, DH News Service, Bangalore:
Road Transport Authority (RTA) has finally woken up to public outcry against widespread autorikshaw meter tampering: It has recently recommended the State Government to make installation of digital meters compulsory for all autorickshaws in Bangalore.

But this doesn’t mean that meter tampering will stop immediately. For, implementation of compulsory digital meter rule is a lengthy process, which includes bringing in an amendment to Karnataka Motor Vehicle Act, 1989. And, in all probability, it will materialise only when the State gets a new Government, according to official sources.
Why Amendment?

“The existing rule 130 of the Act states that autorickshaws should use either mechanical or electronic meters. This particular clause should be amended stating that use of digital meters is compulsory. We have recommended this to the Transport department in a letter dated January 31,” RTA Secretary Rudra Nayak told Deccan Herald.

This, according to official sources in Transport department, takes a lot of time. In the absence of the State Assembly to amend the Act, the Government has no option but to place the bill in this regard before Parliament. Or should wait till elections are held and a Government comes into existence.

“Even if the Governor decides to get it done in Parliament in the interest of public, it takes at least six months’ time,” officials explained.

Not many of an estimated 75,000 autorickshaws in Bangalore, have installed digital meters, which are almost tamper-proof. As a result, the drivers are easily manipulating the existing manual meters and fleecing gullible commuters, officials said.

No action
Though autorickshaw fare has gone many times in the past few years (recently hiked the minimum fare by Rs 2), no action has been taken to prevent any attempt to cheat commuters.

The manual meters are checked by department of Legal Metrology. The department also calibrates the meters as per the fare fixed by RTA.

Still drivers alter the calibration, as the department hardly monitors the functioning of meters by conducting surprise raids and inspections, sources said.

Rudra Nayak said joint teams comprising officials of Transport and Legal Metrology departments will be set up to conduct inspections on working of the meters in coming days.