Chennai:
Auto driver Martin has been waiting for nearly a week to get the meter installed in his autoricksaw after the State Government set a deadline for their installation. He hardly runs his auto for fear that it might be seized or be penalized by the RTO and the traffic police for not installing the meter.
The government’s move to regulate auto fares has been a welcome change for the commuters but it has caused them a lot of stress. They have been crowding the small lane in Perambur Barracks Road all day long to get their meters installed. “I have been visiting a spare parts meter shop here for the past week to get the meter installed,” says Martin, showing the receipt. His only livelihood is his auto and says that the delay is costing him dearly. “A one-time violation costs us Rs 500. If we are caught twice, then our vehicle could be confiscated,” says another auto driver.
However, the biggest challenge for the government and the auto drivers is to have the meter installed by mid-October. With only 40 shops that repair and sell auto meters, this seems unlikely, leaving the auto drivers a harried lot. “What is the need to implement it and install meters when the government is providing special meters from January next year?” asks Saravanan, who has been caught by the RTO twice. The price of the meter has also shot up to Rs 2,500 from Rs 1,990, making it even worse for them.
On the flip side, shop owners blame the auto drivers. “Till now we have installed 741 meters in 20 days flat,” he says while standing in a packed room full of meters. Pointing a finger at the auto drivers, he says, “They bring us meters that have been unused for more than a decade, they stand in a disorderly manner and even refuse to form a queue. How can you expect us to work wonders?” he asks.
Auto driver Martin has been waiting for nearly a week to get the meter installed in his autoricksaw after the State Government set a deadline for their installation. He hardly runs his auto for fear that it might be seized or be penalized by the RTO and the traffic police for not installing the meter.
The government’s move to regulate auto fares has been a welcome change for the commuters but it has caused them a lot of stress. They have been crowding the small lane in Perambur Barracks Road all day long to get their meters installed. “I have been visiting a spare parts meter shop here for the past week to get the meter installed,” says Martin, showing the receipt. His only livelihood is his auto and says that the delay is costing him dearly. “A one-time violation costs us Rs 500. If we are caught twice, then our vehicle could be confiscated,” says another auto driver.
However, the biggest challenge for the government and the auto drivers is to have the meter installed by mid-October. With only 40 shops that repair and sell auto meters, this seems unlikely, leaving the auto drivers a harried lot. “What is the need to implement it and install meters when the government is providing special meters from January next year?” asks Saravanan, who has been caught by the RTO twice. The price of the meter has also shot up to Rs 2,500 from Rs 1,990, making it even worse for them.
On the flip side, shop owners blame the auto drivers. “Till now we have installed 741 meters in 20 days flat,” he says while standing in a packed room full of meters. Pointing a finger at the auto drivers, he says, “They bring us meters that have been unused for more than a decade, they stand in a disorderly manner and even refuse to form a queue. How can you expect us to work wonders?” he asks.
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