Auto rickshaws in the Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation will be required to operate on meters and charge passengers according to government-set rates starting November 15. The announcement was made on Monday, October 14, by State Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik.
The move comes after years of complaints that auto drivers were demanding excessive fares, even for short trips. As per reports, Sneha Dube, a BJP MLA from Vasai, raised the issue with Sarnaik after receiving multiple complaints from locals.
Following the complaints, Sarnaik called a meeting with representatives from the Vasai-Virar region's traffic police and transport agency. During the meeting, the minister discussed steps to make sure drivers comply with the rules.
Under the new regulation, share-auto rickshaws will continue to operate on their existing routes, including from train terminals to other destinations, at the current tariffs. However, auto rickshaws providing individual trips must use meters and bill passengers according to the state government rates.
Authorities have been given until November 15 to take strict action against drivers who fail to follow the rules. Sarnaik warned that those who ignore meter regulations will face serious consequences from RTO officials and traffic police.