Meter calibration rush: City repairers take to shortcut

The packed schedule to test all calibrated meters and rush at the meter-repairing establishment, following the announcement of new tariffs for autos and taxis, has brought about a brainwave among a few repairers to cut down on the waiting period.

It has emerged that some authorised repair centres that are responsible for programming and installing new fare chips in meters, are procuring all-clear certificates from some technical colleges in Pune without allegedly sending the meter physically to Pune.

The rules stipulate that once the new chip is installed, the meter has to be sent to a technical college for testing. After receipt of a certificate from the college, the driver has to get his meter road-tested at the RTO.

While the usual process takes about three to four days, blocking the income for auto and taxi drivers during the period, everything is done in a day or two using the Pune shortcut.

Mumbai Rickshawmen's Union chief Thampi Kurian, who has brought this malpractice to the notice of the RTO, said, "It is unfair on all the drivers who are getting their meters tested at city colleges by first paying more and then enduring longer delays. The transport department should take action to put an end to this practice."

Additional transport commissioner SNB Sahastrabudhe said that his office had not come across any such case so far.