Confiscating rigged meters is a source of revenue for RTOs

To the Andheri Regional Transport Office (RTO), confiscating rigged auto-rickshaw meters has served a dual purpose: it has not only helped in disciplining errant drivers but has also helped generate a good amount of revenue through penalties collected. Prajakta Chavan reports.

To the Andheri Regional Transport Office (RTO), confiscating rigged auto-rickshaw meters has served a dual purpose: it has not only helped in disciplining errant drivers but has also helped generate a good amount of revenue through penalties collected.

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Within a span of three days, the Andheri RTO has collected Rs1.10 lakh through fines imposed on erring drivers.

On Thursday, the Andheri RTO booked 23 auto-rickshaw drivers and collected Rs 63,000 from them.

The Wadala RTO registered 35 cases, prosecuted 14 auto-rickshaw drivers and recovered a penalty of Rs 23,000 from them.

In the current month, the Andheri and Wadala RTOs, have together registered 579 cases, penalised 332 auto-rickshaw drivers and recovered an enforcement revenue of Rs6.32 lakh.

“Without their meters, drivers cannot operate their auto-rickshaws. Therefore, they pay the penalty as soon as possible to get their meters back,” said an Andheri RTO official who requested anonymity.

“We prosecute the booked auto-rickshaw drivers in the magistrate first class court and the fine can go up to Rs5,000, which serves as a deterrent to unscrupulous auto-rickshaw drivers,” said an official from the Wadala RTO who did not want to be named.