Tarun Kartick
Port Blair, Nov 19: Get in any auto-rickshaw in city, you will surely be paying more than what the auto-rickshaw drivers deserve sadly neither the STA nor the Traffic Department will come to your rescue of general public. The auto rickshaw is a prominent mode of transport for people in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, people often prefer travelling in auto-rickshaws than travelling in the overcrowded busses for short distances. But instead of getting quality service they end up paying more than the actual fare.
Almost every fortnight we see news in the newspapers regarding subsidy in procuring electric fare meters for the auto-rickshaw drivers but what is the use of such subsidy when the meters are not used and people have to pay by the will of the driver.
Usually the tourists face a lot of problems because they are not aware of the current rates and are usually looted. The foreign tourists visiting Andaman and Nicobar often complain about the problems faced by them because of the fare meter menace.
Every time when there is a fare change the meters are calibrated by the departments but not even a single auto rickshaw driver in city or elsewhere in Islands goes by the meter and charges whatever he feel like. When people get in an auto rickshaw from the Port or the Airport the charges are double or triple and the public has to pay that because they have no other option of comfort travelling here.
The competent authorities have no choice and prefer to remain quiet and calm because neither they have the will nor the capacity to compel the drivers to charge according to the meter. The Auto Drivers usually keep the meters down when passengers get inside the auto to avoid Challan but the amount in the meter and the amount that they charge have a huge difference.
Sadly if any media unit writes against such illegal practice, some of the auto rickshaw drivers make groups and shout slogans against the media house, making mockery of police department and law and order situation in city.
Andaman and Nicobar Administration should look into this matter and instruct the competent authority to compel the auto drivers to charge only according to the fare-meters.
