In a bid to ensure that mechanical meters are being replaced with e-meters in Mumbai, the state transport department said that fitness certificates would not be granted to autorickshaw drivers if they are found without electronic meters during the annual review.
Fitness certificates are to be procured every year, failing which auto drivers are entitled to fine and penalty. State transport commissioner V.N. More said, “The process of installation of e-meters in old autorickshaws will begin from Monday, when the drivers approach the RTOs for fitness certificates. The renewal of annual fitness certificate will not be done if e-meter is not installed. We have set up a target of one year for the conversion process in Mumbai.”
Installations of e-meters is now compulsory for the auto drivers as the Bombay high court on Saturday dismissed a petition demanding quashing on the notification issued by the Maharashtra government in February on making e-meters compulsory in old autorickshaws from April 1.
The drivers should ensure that e-meters are tested by an approved government institute, with a seal on them to prevent tampering.
Mumbai Rickshawmen’s Union leader Thampy Kurien said, “There are 1.8 lakhs autorickshaws in Mumbai alone, and hence we are not sure whether so many e-meters will be available in the market within a year. If fitness certificates are not renewed, the drivers will have no option but to ply their vehicles without them. Drivers will also not get insurance claim in event of vehicle damage if they plying with expired fitness certificates besides paying fines if caught with expired fitness certificates.”
The prices of e-meters will range between Rs. 1,800 and Rs. 3,000. The issue of making e-meters compulsory came in to the fore when the RTO drive against autorickshaws revealed that the mechanical meters were tampered with.