Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 08 April 2024
Autorickshaws are one of the lifelines of transportation in Port Blair city. Thousands of Islanders, residents and tourists choose to travel by autorickshaws everyday because of the convenience it offers. Yet, many passengers face problems everyday as significant number of autorickshaw drivers choose to ignore government-approved fare meters, opting instead to charge passengers arbitrarily. Despite regulations mandating the use of fare meters, this practice has become prevalent, causing inconvenience and financial discrepancies for commuters.
The issue has become so widespread that passengers are often met with surprise or resistance when requesting fare meters to be activated. Many drivers circumvent the law by keeping their fare meters on hired mode throughout the day, ostensibly to evade potential fines from traffic police. However, this tactic enables them to set fares independently, disregarding official regulations.
Moreover, autorickshaw drivers often refuse to transport passengers to certain destinations unless they deem it profitable, in violation of regulations prohibiting such discrimination. Despite these infractions, drivers rarely face consequences, as passengers seldom lodge complaints against them. This lack of accountability allows the illicit practice to persist unchecked.
It is important to report such incidents to enable action by authorities. Passengers should contact the Traffic Police or local Police Station in cases where drivers refuse to use fare meters or refuse to ply passengers tendering legal fare. Complaints can be lodged with Traffic Police via WhatsApp at 9531892228 or by calling the landline number 03192-243812.
The prevalence of autorickshaws operating without fare meters highlights the need for stricter enforcement of regulations to ensure fair and transparent pricing for commuters in Port Blair.