Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 18: Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, Choudhary Zulfkar Ali today said that no new auto rickshaws would be granted registration certificate without installation of electronic fare meter.
The Minister said this at a meeting attended by Secretary Transport, Commissioner Secretary CAPD, Commissioner JMC, DIG Traffic, Joint Controller LMD and other officers of the concerned departments.
He directed Regional Transport Officer Jammu, not to issue fitness certificate to any auto rickshaw unless it is fitted with functional electronic fare meters duly sealed and calibrated by Legal Metrology Department. He also asked them to prepare fare chart for all vehicles according to the distances for convenience of commuters.
The Minister constituted a 4-member panel headed by Commissioner JMC to be tasked with identification of auto rickshaw stands where all the auto rickshaws would be calibrated for segregation of functional and non functional auto rickshaws beside ensuring 100% installation of meters and submit its report at the shortest possible time.
Highlighting the need for weeding out 20 year old worn out vehicles, the Minister said plying of unfit and old vehicles is a major traffic hazard causing mishaps and pollution. In this regard, he directed RTO Jammu to identify and prepare a list of old auto rickshaw plying in Jammu and submit the same within a week.
The Minister directed the concerned for deploying more vehicles on hungry routes to cater to the need of those areas besides avoiding the menace of overloading and overcharging. He also stressed for devising a mechanism to regulate fares demanded by the Sumo drivers so that the passengers are not harassed and overcharged.
Later, a delegation of Transport Union called on the Minister and apprised him about their problems. The Minister gave a patient hearing and assured that their demands will be taken up with the concerned authorities.
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