Date:04/10/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/10/04/stories/2006100415810300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Chennai's autos: a problem that defies solution

Staff Reporter

Despite a court order, they continue to ply without meters

CHENNAI : More than four years have passed since the Madras High Court passed an order asking the state government to fix meters that can't be rigged and revise fares for autorickshaws.

The petitioner in the case, Madras Auto Passengers Association (MAPA), along with thousands of other auto passengers who patronise the service every day are still waiting for the day when autorickshaws in the city will ply with meters. After all, if it is possible in Mumbai and other cities, then why not Chennai?

In a letter sent recently to the Chief Minister's cell, the Association's president C. Lakshmi Narain said that in his order, Justice P Sathasivam had asked the state government to make efforts to ensure installation of electronic tamper-proof meters or any other suitable device in all autorickshaws. The order also asked the state government to issue notice to all parties concerned, including MAPA, to consider their views.

Autorickshaw drivers in Chennai have gained notoriety for fleecing passengers over the years. There are nearly 49,000 autorickshaws plying in the city with registered permits, but none of the vehicles use their meters. The notoriety of Chennai's autos is such that even international travel guides warn visitors about the problem.

The drivers' reasoning for the situation has been the same for several years now. The official fare is still Rs.3.50 per kilometre and a minimum of Rs.7 for two km. In Bangalore though, the official fare is Rs.6 per km and the minimum rate is Rs.12 for two km.

MAPA points out that in practice most autodrivers in the city demand a minimum of Rs.20.

Mr. Lakshmi Narain has appealed to the Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi to take up the regularisation of autorickshaw fares and by fixing non-tamperable electronic meters.