Meter recalibration work to continue for a week past deadline

Although recalibration work on autorickshaw and taxi meters in the city was supposed to be completed by November 24, the process will continue till next week, state transport commissioner VN More said on Friday.

Although recalibration work on autorickshaw and taxi meters in the city was supposed to be completed by November 24, the process will continue till next week, state transport commissioner VN More said on Friday.

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After approving a steep fare hike for autos and taxis on October 11, the transport department had ordered for their meters to be recalibrated starting October 15. However, only a little over 50% of the meters have been recalibrated. At the Wadala RTO, 19,213 out of 33,000 auto meters have been recalibrated, while at the Andheri RTO, the figure is about 20,000 auto meters out of 56,000.

At the Tardeo RTO, 12,219 taxi meters have been recalibrated, with 3,800 pending and 300 of the 3,000 mechanical meters have been converted to e-meters.

“The recalibration of meters will continue till next week when a report will be submitted to the state government,” said More. The decision to initiate action against vehicles without recalibrated meters or further extending recalibration deadline will be taken by state government after reviewing the report.

However, consumer body Mumbai Grahak Panchayat sent a letter to the transport commissioner, requesting the department not to extend the November 24 deadline and initiate action against errant auto and taxi drivers.

“We appeal to people to not pay revised fares for autos and taxis without recalibrated meters,” said Shirish Deshpande, the chairman of the body.