Twin cities' auto meters will be checked from January 26 onwards

HUBBALLI: The district administration is about to launch a review campaign for autofare meters from January 26.
However, autorickshaw drivers have urged authorities to hold a meeting before the campaign.
Passengers say that most auto rickshaws have neither installed the fare metres nor are using them.
K Damodar, Hubballi East RTO, said that the deputy commissioner has instructed RTO and traffic police to check existing meters from January 26. "We are prepared to launch a campaign. Many autorickshaw drivers keep fare meters inactive but later they will use them. The Road Transport Authority, headed by the DC, has fixed fares after studying fares fixed in neighboring five districts. As per current fixed fares, autorickshaws can charge Rs 30 for the first 1.6 km if they have a digital meter. However, auo drivers have requested to continue the old fare of Rs 28 for the first 1.6 kms to avoid re-calibration cost of about Rs 700," he said.
Shekharayya Mathapati, the president of Uttara Karnataka Auto Chalakara Sangh, demanded a repeat of the action of 2017, when a mass campaign was conducted by then DC Deepa Cholan and DCP crime and traffic BS Nemagouda.
"One can imagine the plight of auto drivers. Only 1,451 autos have digital meters when the twin cities have about 25,000 autorickshaws. If we go to the weights and measures department, we must wait for days to get the re-calibration of meters done. The fare of Rs 28-30 for 1.6 km was fixed in 2017 while fuel price was hiked by 20-30%. When it comes to auto stands, they are in pathetic condition," he said.
As many as nine auto owners and drivers' organisations have demanded a revision in fares.
Hanamant Pavadi, vice-president of the Hubballi-Dharwad Auto Drivers' Federation, said that 99% drivers are ready for a campaign of mass passing. "We request the administration to do so instead of launching a checking campaign from January 26. If they start, we will inevitably have to launch an agitation. If they call a meeting of auto drivers, we will attend it and present our problems there" he said.