THE GOAN NETWORK
BELAGAVI
The long-cherished dream of people of Belagavi and travellers from Goa visiting the green city is likely to come into reality, as auto meters are likely to be made mandatory in Belagavi city soon.
Belagavi Deputy Commissioner (Collector) Mohammad Roshan has announced that auto meters will be made mandatory in the city within the next five to six months.
He also informed that the winter session of the Karnataka State Legislature will be held from December 9 to 20, the date which he said was confirmed by the Government.
Speaking to media persons at the DC office on Tuesday, he ascertained that the decision comes in response to a long-standing public demand for regulated auto fares.
The announcement has come as a huge sigh of relief for scores of citizens and travelers who are being fleeced by auto-rickshaw drivers.
To address concerns, the administration has issued 10,000 auto meter permits, valid for five years, ensuring minimal impact on auto drivers. A recent meeting was held to discuss these measures, and further discussions with drivers are planned to ensure smooth implementation.
The district administration, RTO authorities and police department will work in coordination to support this initiative, aiming to benefit both passengers and drivers by bringing transparency to fare systems.
"The installation of meters is certain," DC Roshan ascertained.
However, citizens are raising doubts about the implementation if one goes by the earlier instances. Earlier too similar decisions remained in air as the auto drivers giving one or the other reason had defied the implementation of the decision of the authorities to install fare meters in the auto rickshaws.
