Mumbai pushes for e-meters in auto rickshaws

Mumbai commuters will see more auto rickshaws with electronic meters (e-meters) by the end of the year. E-meters have been preferred by commuters over the older mechanical ones due to their better accuracy and much less chances of being tampered with. The Regional Traffic Offices (RTO) such as Andheri and Wadala plan to get all the auto rickshaws under their zones to install e-meters by the end of the year. The two RTOs have also initiated drives against auto rickshaws that tamper with the old mechanical meters. It could see about 20,000 – 30,000 being caught with rigged meters by the year end. Such auto rickshaws will have their fitness certificates revoked and will have to install the new e-meters. As per the new rules, all auto rickshaws applying for renewing their road fitness certificates are required to have e-meters installed on them. This could see another 70,000-80,000 auto rickshaws in these zones changing over to e-meters. Auto rickshaw drivers have been opposing the move though.