Four autorickshaws with fake number plates were seized during checks conducted as part of the Transport Department’ s ongoing drive for fixing the meters, which started a week ago.
The checks conducted by the department officials revealed that the autos were displaying the number plates of some other vehicles, following which they were detained.
The department on Thursday seized six autos for plying without proper permit and issued check reports to five autos, Transport Commissioner S D Sundaresan told Express. So far, 40 vehicles without proper permits were seized; the autos which were issued check reports would have to fix the meters within the specified period, the official said, adding that the drive to enforce the order on fixing the meters would continue.
He said the current drive was only the first step and measures would be taken to implement the government order on the fares.
The department’s drive has been welcomed by the public, who were often fleeced by the auto rickshaw drivers.
The government has fixed the fares of Rs 20 for 2 km and Rs 10 every additional km. However, the auto drivers unions demanded a revision of fares claiming the petrol prices have gone up.
But the transport department has countered their arguments for revision of the rates, following a comparing of the existing rates with the neighbouring states’ rates, where petrol prices are still higher.