Auto-rickshaw drivers not ready to instal fare meters

Despite the clear instruction of the transport department, auto rickshaw drivers have remained adamant in their opposition to mandatory installation of fare meters. The members of Doon Auto Rickshaw Union sat on demonstration at Parade Ground on Sunday and demanded that installation of fare meters in auto rickshaw should not be made mandatory in the provisional State capital.

Union member B Tomar said that they were opposing the department’s decision on several issues. Stating that the auto rickshaw drivers are opposed to mandatory installation of fare meters, he said that the union will intensify its stir if their demand is not met without delay.

According to Tomar, an agreement had been reached on several issues in a meeting with the officers of the transport department, district administration and their association members. He alleged that the agreement reached in the meeting was being violated by the officials concerned.

According to the protesters, permitting operation of battery operated auto rickshaw in the city would give rise to unemployment. They said that the e-rickshaws should not be allowed to operate on selected important roads of the city. They also demanded that the operational radius of the auto rickshaw should be increased from 25 kilometres to 40 kilometres. Special permission should be given for auto rickshaw to operate upto Sahastradhara, Kuthal Gate, Shiv Temple, Dehradun airport, Dat Kali temple and Herbertpur.

License permit for auto rickshaw should be kept for a year as per earlier decision. If department of regional transport does not consider their demands, they would be compelled to intensify their stir in support of their demands, the protesters warned.

It should be mentioned here that based on public complaints and to put check on over charging by auto rickshaw drivers, the transport authorities had directed the auto rickshaw drivers in the provisional State capital to install and use fare meter in their auto rickshaw from May 1.

The department had also issued warning to the auto rickshaw divers that fitness certificate would be issued by the department only after fare meter is installed and operational in the auto rickshaw.