After e-rickshaw ban, passengers face increased over-charging

Srinagar, Nov 21: The absence of fare meters in most petrol-run auto-rickshaws across Srinagar continues to trouble passengers, who say arbitrary fares are “emptying their pockets”. They said despite repeated directions, deadlines, and official orders mandating installation of meters over the years, most auto rickshaws operate without meters.

Commuters from various Srinagar localities told Greater Kashmir that auto-rickshaw operators are charging “whatever they want”, particularly on short routes where passengers are most vulnerable.

“In Srinagar, taking an auto for even a short distance costs nothing less than 100 to 150 rupees. On some routes, drivers demand more rupees. The irony is that for the same distance, an e-rickshaw charges 10-20 rupees. But meterless petrol autos are charging without any regulation,” said Faizan Ahmad, a local from the Downtown area of the City.

Passengers said that despite earlier directions from traffic police and repeated instructions from transport authorities, the majority of autos still operate without functional meters. “Every year we hear that strict measures will be taken and meters will be made compulsory. But on the ground, nothing changes,” said Shabnam Jan, a college student from Bemina. “

Meanwhile, the recent order declaring MA Road and Residency Road as no-e-rickshaw zones has left many commuters worried that fares may shoot up further. With these central stretches in the City Centre now open for overcharging by petrol autos, passengers fear they will have no choice but to pay inflated rates.

“Earlier, we would take an e-rickshaw from Jehangir Chowk to Lal Chowk for 10-20 rupees. Now that e-rickshaws are barred from that road, we are being forced to pay four times the prices amid an emergency. It becomes even more important now that the administration enforces meters,” said Suhail Bhat, a private employee. Commuters added that the problem becomes acute after sundown, especially as winter sets in and daylight hours shrink. They said that with thin traffic, limited cabs, and almost no public buses late in the evening, they often depend solely on autos. “After 6 pm, there is hardly any public transport. Auto drivers charge as per their will amid the absence of meters,” said another passenger at Dalgate.

A senior official from the Traffic Police said the issue has been taken seriously, and enforcement will be intensified.

“We will be conducting stricter drives against autos operating without meters. We are coordinating with concerned departments to make sure meters are installed and passengers are not overcharged,” the official said.