Srinagar, May 20: Taking tourists and locals for a ride, auto-rickshaw drivers in the summer capital are allegedly charging passengers arbitrarily against the prescribed rates.
 An auto-rickshaw driver was seen charging Rs 150 from Tourist Reception Center to Rainawari.
 According to a rate list, released sometime back, auto-rickshaw drivers have to charge Rs 59 up to five kilometers. While the fare up to eight kilometers is Rs 93, the rate up to 10 kilometers is Rs 120.
 The rates had been notified by the State Transport Authority Vide No 51 MVD of 2110 dated 19-7-2010.
 However, tourists as well as locals are charged according to the wishes of drivers.
 An auto rickshaw driver told Greater Kashmir that they were not supposed to keep rate lists hanging in the auto rickshaws.
 The official order also makes it obligatory for auto rickshaws to have a rate list. However, drivers categorically denied keeping the list in their vehicles.
 The Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Srinagar, Haseeb Ur Rehman said passengers who are overcharged should file complaints before the authorities to root out the problem.
 “What happens is that these happenings are downplayed by not filing complaints. Anyone who is overcharged should definitely file a complaint before police,” he said.
 Asked that auto rickshaws in City were without rate lists, the SP said they will distribute seven thousand rate lists in near future. “In the beginning, we had distributed only three thousand rate lists,” he said.
 Pertinently, in a bid to skirt the failure of getting meters installed in the three-wheelers, the traffic authorities came up with fare card idea. But this too couldn’t till now be enforced. 

Lastupdate on : Sun, 20 May 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 20 May 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 21 May 2012 00:00:00 IST