In an effort to enhance autorickshaw services in Belagavi, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Roshan announced that all autorickshaws will be required to use fare meters starting October 2024. This decision emerged from a meeting of the District Road Safety Committee and the Regional Transport Office Authority held at the DC’s office on Wednesday.
Roshan highlighted the need for collaboration among regional transport authorities, the police, and the autorickshaw drivers’ association to facilitate a smooth transition to metered fares. He proposed organizing a joint meeting to tackle the practical aspects of this change.
Additionally, the Deputy Commissioner raised concerns regarding the safety of schoolchildren, stating that strict penalties would be imposed on drivers who exceed passenger limits, particularly those transporting more children than permitted. “Such drivers should have their licenses revoked,” Roshan emphasized, stressing the importance of safe transportation for students.
The meeting also addressed the rising number of autorickshaws in the city, with discussions around halting new registrations due to oversaturation. Deputy Commissioner Roshan acknowledged these concerns and promised that appropriate actions would be evaluated and implemented soon.
