Srinagar: The directions from Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti to make digital meters compulsory for auto-rickshaws all across Kashmir Valley is welcomed by the public in the hope that it would check rickshaw drivers from looting common passengers.
Public anger and resentment against the autorickshaw drivers has become vociferous and they have been alleging that authorities for the reason known to them are not keen to install meters in the auto rickshaws. In absence of meters, the auto-rickshaw drivers charge passengers arbitrarily causing immense inconvenience to them. I was shocked when an auto driver charged Rs 150 for a two kilometer distance from me. They have resorting to loot while authorities are in slumber, Mudasir Ahmed a resident of Hyderpora told CNS. He added that this time he is hopeful that authorities will follow the directions of Chief Minister and will save common people from the unnecessary overcharging from rickshaw drives.
There is no fixed rate for any route. One auto-rickshaw driver charges Rs 70 from Dalgate to Lal Chowk while other Rs 90 or more, said Muhammad Hamzah, a student.
Last year, the government had claimed that it was made mandatory for all the auto-rickshaws plying in the state to get their fare-meters calibrated bi-annually from the Legal Metrology Department (LMD). We hope this time authorities will act and ask rickshaw drivers to install meters as has been directed to them by the incumbent Chief Minister of the state, he added. (CNS)
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