John Wilbert & Sarthak Kanjilal
Port Blair, April 10: After receiving a number of complaints from the commuters the Transport Department of Andaman & Nicobar Islands has finally decided to constitute a team, which will check overcharging by the Auto Rickshaw Drivers.
According to reports, recently the Transport Department has received several complaints mostly from the tourists visiting these islands, that the Auto Rickshaw drivers are overcharging them as per their own convenience.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha, Dr Navlendra Singh said that he has received many complaints wherein drivers demand as much as Rs. 150-200 for a distance of just 5 km.
Another grouse is auto rickshaw drivers demanding excess fare from tourists and mostly targeted by the Auto Rickshaw drivers are the walk-in guests, which is wrong.
“People also complain that attempts to convince the auto rickshaw driver to go by the meter always end in an argument,” Dr Navlendra said.
Dr Navlendra further also informed that to cross check the fact he himself had traveled in Auto Rickshaws recently and during his inspection, he also became a victim of overcharging.
The Director Transport, Dr Navlendra Kumar Singh said that after experiencing the menace of overcharging himself, he immediately called a meeting with different Auto Rickshaw Associations, where this issue was broadly discussed.
“We have also taught the Auto Rickshaw Drivers the basics for behaving with commuter especially with tourists,” said Dr Singh.
Dr Navlendra said that some strict action is necessary against the Auto Rickshaw Drivers who are over charging passengers.
He said that the department is going to constitute a team soon, which will go in different parts of the city and travel in auto as commuters to check whether the fare charged is correct and whether the Auto Rickshaw drivers are using Meter etc.
“I have also received a complaint of the Auto Rickshaw drivers that the fares they are supposed to follow is revised in the year 2013 and the grievance is well taken into consideration and work is also on to revise that too,” Dr Navlendra added.
Late, but finally the Transport Department has started taking initiative to stop these nuisance created by some Auto Rickshaw Drivers. This bold step of the Transport Department against the Auto Rickshaw Drivers of the city will definitely bring some relief for all passengers, especially Islanders.
Clearly whatever step that the transport department has taken is ineffective as the overcharging from commuters is still going on. The fare meter is just like a showpiece that is never used. We have to pay whatever they ask us to.And arguing about the correct fare leads to these auto drivers threatening us.
Not only for tourists authorities should take steps for the general public also.