Fare-meters must be ensured

While the e-rickshaws and the electric buses have brought major relief to the people, especially those living in the Old City areas here, but what has remained unchanged on the ground is the exorbitant fare by the three-wheeler auto-rickshaw drivers, who charge as per their will and have not so far bothered to install the far meters, already directed by the concerned Transport department from time to time. One fails to understand why these auto-rickshaw drivers are being allowed to continue with their operations without following the requisite norms and directions. The only necessary measure that favours the passengers is the fare meters, but it is unfortunate that these drivers have never ensured the imperative toll for the wellbeing of the passengers, which shows their seriousness of charging according to the usage. From time to time, the officials concerned have carried out the drive against these offenders, but later remained silent on the particular issue and thereby indirectly allowed the drivers to continue operating in Srinagar and elsewhere without the fare meters. Though the operation of the electric vehicles in the Old City and adjacent areas has affected their work, they still seem reluctant to ensure proper mechanisms in place to help the passengers. At this juncture, the government, especially the concerned departments need to swing into action again and ensure that the measures are taken against the offenders so that the common masses could heave a sigh of relief.