Drive against errant auto drivers in a month

BHOPAL: To keep a check on wayward ways of auto drivers, who refuse to ply by meter, the district administration will soon launch another drive against errant auto-rickshaws in Bhopal. The district administration has recently revised the rates of three-wheelers by 200%, but the auto drivers are demanding more, district collector Nikunj Shrivastava said.
We are starting a drive against them in a month and we will make sure that after the drive auto drivers charge passengers by meter," the collector told TOI.
Earlier this year, a joint drive of district administration, traffic police and regional transport office was launched against auto-rickshaw drivers to ensure that they wear uniform and run autos with calibrated meter. However, the drive stopped without result.
"We realize that the drive carried out by the administration to ply autos with the meter was a failure. Even after we have revised the meter rates up to 200%, the situation remains the same," the collector said. "The revised rates make auto fares in Bhopal one of the highest in the country," the collector said.
Auto-rickshaw association president Pappu Vilas said, "We are not aware of any hike effected by the administration in auto fares. Unless we get anything in writing, we will not follow meter fare."
The result is the passengers continue to suffer. "The auto-rickshaws continue to have non-functioning meters or they simply don't go by it. And now with the petrol price up, auto rides have become very expensive," said Satish Sinha, an engineer.
"They charge Rs 100 from Habibganj station to MP Nagar during odd hours, which is hardly a km," said Arvind Singh.
The auto drivers demanded an increase in meter rate to Rs 20 for the first km and Rs 15 for every km. The existing fares are Rs 10.50 for the first km and Rs 6.50 for every other kilometer. But after a steep rise in the petrol price, auto drivers are demanding more as a minimum fare.