Digital meters, a dream

Visakhapatnam: The use of digital electronic meters in autorickshaws, plying in Vizag city, was proposed around ten months ago. But, till date, neither the Road Transport Authority nor city traffic police came forward to enforce the use of such meters.

However, autorickshaws are charging unreasonable fares for short distances also. In November 2012, RTA and the city traffic police officials claimed that they will be providing a major relief to the people of the city from overcrowded share- an -auto and exorbitant fares for short distances, by charging through  digital meters from January-2013.

Even one year, after the proposal, still no autorickshaws are plying on city roads without digital meters while the enforcement officials remained silent over the installing of the digital meters with audiometer facility.

According to RTA officials a total of 20,000 autorickshaws are plying on city roads, while around 12,000 autos have city limits permits from RTA. Sources in RTA told that once they enforce the usage of digital meters, both auto rickshaw drivers and passengers will benefit and can curb the over-crowded autos.

Sources also said that each digital electronic meter is expected to cost around Rs 2,000 and the audio-meter at the end of the journey will indicate the fare and the distance travelled.

The Deputy Transport Commissioner, Visakhapatnam, M. Prabhuraj Kumar said they planned to install digital meters in around 12,000 city permit autos, however few autorickshaw unions in Vizag refused the proposal. “We are focusing on privates buses now. We will  take up use of digital meters in autos in the coming days” he said.

Admitting the delay in enforcement of meters, additional DCP (Traffic) V Suresh Babu said that whenever they come with an idea, it fizzles out for various reasons.