In view of the rising number of complaints over excessive charges and rude behaviour of autorickshaw drivers towards passengers, District Collector P.K. Sudheer Babu has made mandatory the installation of fare meters in all autorickshaws operating in the district from September 1 onward.
Decision made
A decision to this effect was made during a meeting between union leaders and the District Collector here on Tuesday. Regional Transport Officer V.M. Chacko and District Police Chief P.A. Sabu also attended the meeting.
The decision takes a cue from an order issued by the State Transport Commissioner on December 11, 2018.
Valid permit
Further, only autorickshaws having a valid permit to operate within the Kottayam municipality will be permitted to board passengers from the town.
The police and the Motor Vehicles Department have been entrusted with the task of reining in the erring autorickshaw operators.