auto-rickshaw fare
BELGAVI
After failing miserably to impose an auto-rickshaw fare as per the tariff meter, the Belagavi Police is giving yet another shot at enforcing the implementation of the auto fare.
In an effort to stop rickshaw operators from fleecing visitors, especially from Goa and Maharashtra, the city police have once again decided to implement tariffs in the auto rickshaw as per meters.
Briefing media persons, DCP Anupam Agarwal said he has instructed the traffic police and the RTO authorities to enforce the rule and initiate stringent action against unruly auto drivers.
“We have identified about 198 auto owners who have flouted the rules several times and have directed RTO authorities to cancel their permits,” DCP Agarwal said.
“The auto drivers against whom this action is being initiated have been penalized for more than three times and hence according to the rules, their permits stand cancelled,” he added.
According to the RTO authorities, city has about 8,600 autos plying on the roads. In its campaign, stickers were issued to the registered autos.
Incidentally, it was found that over 4,600 autos were not registered and were still plying.
Moreover, the unregistered auto drivers are the ones who are involved in defying the rules and engaged in fleecing the commuters, especially from other states.
It may be recalled that many such attempts by the authorities earlier were in vain, as the auto owners and drivers giving one or the other excuse managed to keep the authorities at bay and continued fleecing the commuters.
In an attempt by the authorities earlier this year, the auto owners had retaliated by staging protests and calling for an auto bundh for a couple of days.
However, according to DCP Agarwal, a fool proof plan is in place and the authorities are confident of enforcing the auto meters in the city, in turn reigning the unruly auto drivers.
