95% autos have installed meters

Chennai: The deadline for autos fixing meters ended on Friday, but commuters say that fleecing by auto drivers continues. However, there were also a few commuters who expressed satisfaction over the implementation of the meters and said the visible policing had also resulted in several autos switching on their meters.

The transport department staff were seen detaining autos despite a holiday due to Muha­rram. The sources also said 25 special teams have been formed to tr­ap the autorickshaws that violate norms.

On Friday, with the deadline ending, the police detained several auto drivers who were reluctant to switch on meters. “In north Ch­ennai alone, the police registered as many as 524 cases against autos that failed to observe the norms. Our men are patrolling in mufti and the drive will continue,” said a senior traffic police official, adding that more than 95 per cent of autos had installed meters.

“All our members were instructed to turn on the meters to avoid penal action from po­lice,” said Rajendran, ge­neral secretary, TN auto drivers federation affiliated to the CITU.