RTO to intensify crackdown on tampered meters

Happy with the results shown by the yet-to-be-named device that detects rigged meters in quick time, city's transport authorities have promised to intensify the crackdown on errant auto-rickshaw drivers.

Happy with the results shown by the yet-to-be-named device that detects rigged meters in quick time, city's transport authorities have promised to intensify the crackdown on errant auto-rickshaw drivers.

Earlier, officials from the Regional Transport Office (RTO) had to travel on a rickshaw to check for any tampering of the meter. This was a slow, laborious process. In comparison, the new device returns results after being plugged in to the rickshaw meter. “With this gadget, we can identify faulty meters on the spot. We are now able to inspect more vehicles in less time,” said an RTO official from Wadala.

However, at present, there is only one device, which the Andheri RTO has lent to its Wadala counterpart. “The pace of the drive [against rigged meters] at Andheri RTO has slowed down, since their gadget is with us. We have now ordered two new gadgets for our use. With these, we will roll out a full-fledged drive in the eastern suburbs,” said the source from Wadala RTO. These gadgets will arrive within two days, he added.

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On Wednesday, the Wadala RTO continued its drive against errant auto-rickshaw drivers and school bus operators in Mulund, Bhandup and Nahur. The

officials detected 15 cases of tampered meters. An official who participated in the drive said that all rickshaw meters inspected on Wednesday had a 10-20% error.

The campaign to enforce the new school bus policy also continued on Wednesday. Cases were registered against five school buses for not following new safety norms. Among the norms violated were those concerning emergency exits, availability of first aid boxes, display of list of students, and display of school bus board.

“We have confiscated the permit of school buses found violating norms. The operators will be able to run buses without permit. But they will have to rectify the violations and bring the buses back for inspection within seven days. In addition, they would have to pay a penalty which could be between Rs500 and Rs10,000,” the official said.