Recalibration: High Court raps state

The Bombay High Court on Friday criticised the state government over inadequate planning to implement the recalibration process of autorickshaw and taxi meters.

A division bench of Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice A A Sayed also suggested that the government consider appointing three additional agencies, each in the eastern and western regions of the city, to ensure speedy completion of the process. At present, work is done in three centres in the city.

On Thursday, the state government told the court that 26,000 out of 42,000 taxis and 25,000 out of 95,000 autorickshaws have completed the process.

The judges Thursday had questioned why a large number of autos do not have recaliberated meters.

During the hearing, Justice Chandrachud said, "Evidently, there is a failure in the planning process, which needs to be rectified as early as possible."

A public interest litigation challenging the recent fare hike approved by the state was filed by a consumer rights organisation named Mumbai Grahak Panchayat. The organisation terms the hike "unreasonable and arbitrary," and contends that it was brought into effect due to pressure from auto and taxi unions.

The matter will now be heard on December 20.

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