Extended deadline for auto meter calibration ends today

Even as the extended deadline for getting auto rickshaw meters calibrated ends on Thursday (June 19), about 45,000 auto rickshaws in the City that are still plying with old meters, will face action from Friday.

As per the officials of the Legal Metrology department, over 1.1 lakh auto rickshaws which ply in the City were given an extension of three months till June 19 after the first deadline expired on March 20 and the auto rickshaw unions sought more time to get their meters calibrated.

However, as per the officials of the department, even after six months, about 45,000 auto rickshaws are still to get new meters installed and will be liable for action from June 20.

In fact, in a bid to deal with the defaulters with an iron hand, the department of Legal Metrology, has decided to penalise even those who come to get their meters calibrated on June 20. They will also have to pay a fine of Rs 500 besides the fee.

As per the rules, the auto rickshaws are supposed to get their meters tested after calibration and only after the meter is certified by the department, can it be termed authorised.

Rs 500 fine Speaking with Deccan Herald,  Seema K, Assistant Director, Legal Metrology department, said, “From June 20, we will carry out intensive drives to check the auto rickshaws still plying with old meters and will penalise them on the spot.

A penalty of Rs 500 will be levied and receipt will be issued for it. We had been carrying out checks in the past three months as well to let the auto drivers know that the deadline is June 19 but we did not penalise them. But from June 20, we will deal with them sternly.”

On March 18, the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) had extended the deadline for the auto rickshaws to get their meters calibrated as per the new fare, by another three months after the drivers pleaded that they did not have adequate time to get the meters calibrated.

The March 20 deadline was fixed after the State government announced the auto fare hike on December 20, 2013. The auto drivers were supposed to get their meters calibrated, with the new minimum fare fixed at Rs 25.