‘Auto-cracy’ reigns on city roads

Norms flouted: Auto-rickshaw drivers do not use meters while charging fares

Majority of auto-rickshaw drivers continue to charge without meters in the city. Last month, the state government had asked auto-rickshaw drivers to use fare metres and gave a one-month deadline to all drivers, but they continue to flout the norms.

“The drive and the warning were only for a week. Auto-rickshaw drivers are again overcharging and meters in most of the rickshaws are not functional. The rates become very high in the evening but there is no one to check continuous violations,” said Sajid Paray, a Srinagar resident.

The Transport Department along with the Traffic Department gave repeated warnings that vehicles without meters would be seized and driver’s licence be cancelled but majority of auto-rickshaws continue to ply without functional meters. “The traffic and transport officials should keep a special tab on auto-rickshaw drivers, otherwise the directions are being taken lightly by them,” said Nazir Dar, a resident.

Officials of the Traffic Department said the drive continues on their end; however, they need cooperation from local residents to bring violations in the notice of the Department.

“We have seized more than 100 rickshaws so far and the drive is still continuing but people should come forward if they are being overcharged,” said Superintendent of Traffic Police (city) Maqsood-Ul-Zaman.

According to official figures, there are around 10,000 auto-rickshaws plying in the summer capital. The drive to instal fare meters in auto rickshaws was started by the Department of Traffic along with the Transport Department in the last week of August.

The Transport Department had given a month to auto-rickshaw drivers to get fare meters installed. Even though the deadline has passed, nothing has changed on ground for common people who continue to pay exorbitant rates.