The Belagavi district administration has set a 15-day deadline for all auto-rickshaws operating within the Belagavi City Corporation limits to install fare meters, and has also directed authorities to crack down on illegal bike taxi services, including Rapido.
The decisions were taken at a meeting of the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) chaired by Deputy Commissioner and RTA Chairman Mohammad Roshan at the Deputy Commissioner’s office on Wednesday. The meeting was attended by officials from the Regional Transport Office (RTO), police department, and representatives of auto-rickshaw owner-driver associations.
Meter-Based Auto Fares Mandatory
Deputy Commissioner Roshan directed that all auto-rickshaws within the city limits must operate strictly on meter-based fares within the next 15 days.
The approved fare structure is:
- ₹37 for the first 1.6 km
- ₹15 for every additional kilometre
Officials were instructed to ensure strict implementation of the fare system, bringing an end to long-standing complaints from passengers about arbitrary fare charges.
Although similar directions had been issued nearly eight months ago, many auto-rickshaws continued operating without meters. The Deputy Commissioner instructed authorities to take stringent action against violators this time.
Crackdown on Rapido and Illegal Passenger Services
The Deputy Commissioner also ordered enforcement against private vehicles operating commercial passenger services illegally.
He directed the RTO and police to initiate legal action against:
- Rapido-style bike taxi services,
- Two-wheelers carrying passengers for hire,
- White-board private cars operating as commercial passenger vehicles without permits.
Officials were instructed to ensure such services do not operate in violation of transport regulations.
New Auto Permits to Be Restricted
The meeting also discussed the increasing number of auto-rickshaws in the city and the financial difficulties faced by existing drivers due to reduced business.
The administration decided that new auto-rickshaw registrations within the city should be restricted. Authorities have been asked to hold discussions with auto associations and dealers before issuing fresh registrations.
Cases where bookings or applications were made earlier will be examined individually before a final decision is taken.
Action Against Unregistered Autos
The Deputy Commissioner instructed auto-rickshaw associations and transport officials to identify auto-rickshaws that have been operating for years without renewing their registrations and initiate action against them.
He also directed that expired and unfit auto-rickshaws should not be re-registered.
Improve Public Service and Traffic Discipline
Roshan urged auto-rickshaw drivers to behave courteously with passengers and cooperate with the traffic police to maintain smooth traffic flow. He stressed that arguments, misconduct, and violations of transport rules would not be tolerated.
The district administration said the mandatory meter system would ensure passengers pay fixed and transparent fares while also providing fair compensation to auto-rickshaw drivers.
District Police Superintendent K. Ramarajan, probationary IAS officer Rohit Singh, Additional Superintendent of Police R.B. Basaragi, Regional Transport Officer Nagesh Mundas, and office-bearers of various auto-rickshaw associations attended the meeting.