Auto meters mandatory in Belagavi from Monday: DC

BELAGAVI: Deputy commissioner N Jayaram has instructed road transport department (RTO) making meters mandatory to all the auto rickshaws run in Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) limits from Monday.
The decision was taken in the meeting with regional road transport officials held here on Friday. DC said decision has been taken considering the harassment of passengers by the auto rickshaw drivers and all auto rickshaw drivers have been asked to not to play the autos on road from 2nd March without meter.
DC also said minimum fare of the auto has been fixed Rs 20 for 2 kms and Rs 10 after every 1km distance. Auto drivers have been allowed to collect one and half fare from 10pm to 6am. Penalty of Rs 100 will be occurred in case of defected meter or without meter for first time and it will be Rs 500 at the second time offense and Rs 1,000 at third time offense. If it continued, license and auto permit will be cancelled, he said.
N Jayaram called upon local organizations and general public to cooperate with district administration, Belagavi City Corporation, City Police Commissionerate and RTO department in this matter.
City police commissioner S Ravi speaking on the occasion said so far 1,400 auto rickshaws have been inspected and out of them 160 are seized which were running without permit. He said there are also plans to open pre-paid auto rickshaw centers at railway station, central bus stand and Ramdev Hotel.