Open more centres for recalibration: HC

Bombay High Court (HC) suggested Thursday opening centres across the city to expedite recaliberation of autorickshaw and taxi meters.

HC was responding to a PIL by Mumbai Grahak Panchayat questioning recent hikes in auto and taxi fares.

Advocate general Darius Khambata told the court of the 42,000 taxis, meters of 26,000 had been recaliberated, but of the 95,000 autos, only 25,000 had recaliberated meters.

A division bench of justices D Y Chandrachud and A A Sayed questioned the unwillingness of auto drivers and owners to recaliberate meters and install electronic ones to replace digital meters. The judges observed mechanical devices were easier to tamper with.

Justice Chandrachud said as recaliberating a meter cost about Rs 400, several companies would be willing to come forward and do the work for the state government.

Meanwhile, the government told HC taxis and autos without recaliberated meters will not be allowed to ply from March 31 and and April 30, respectively.

The court asked the transport commissioner and principal secretary of the transport department to hold a meeting with Mumbai Grahak Panchayat and auto and taxi unions on December 24 to address concerns.

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