The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Autorickshaw drivers' bandh evokes mixed response

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Dec 19, 2006
ePaper

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Autorickshaw drivers' bandh evokes mixed response

Staff Reporter

Installation of digital meters leads to more manipulation, says panel leader

HITTING THE ROAD: Autorickshaw drivers taking out a rally in the city on Monday. - Photo: G. Krishnaswamy

HYDERABAD: The one-day autorickshaw bandh called by the Anti-Auto Digital Meters Struggle Committee in protest against the decision to install digital meters in autorickshaws evoked mixed response here on Monday.

While autorickshaws were conspicuous by their absence on major thoroughfares in the city, the situation was normal on the suburbs. Commuters had a torrid time, especially those who arrived in the city at railway and bus stations.

Sweating hard to board a city bus along with their luggage, the plight of passengers was miserable. Students and employees, too, had to bear the brunt. City buses were packed to the brim on all routes despite the authorities operating 100 extra buses in addition to drafting 30 more buses from neighbouring Nalgonda and Medak districts. "We have made elaborate arrangements to cope with the extra rush. We expect to generate an additional revenue of Rs. 8 lakhs to Rs. 10 lakhs through the extra services," said RTC City Regional Manager C. Pandu Ranga Murthy.

Rally taken out

Earlier in the day, struggle committee members in association with Communist Party of India activists took out a rally from Bagh Lingampally to Ramnagar chowrasta raising slogans against Chief Minister and Transport Minister for issuing G.O.No.213 making it mandatory for autorickshaws to install digital meters by January 1.

Addressing the gathering, committee secretary B. Venkatesham said that autorickshaw drivers would extend cooperation to the Government to curb tampering of mechanical meters.

He said installation of digital meters would lead to more manipulation following which drivers could charge exorbitant rates from commuters.

"Digital meters are more prone to tampering in comparison to mechanical meters. They have poor service life and break down frequently creating extra maintenance cost for the drivers," he said.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh