In line with the metro cities of the country, now Haridwar would also have pre-paid autos, taxis and max cabs running in the city. At a joint meeting of the taxi unions and district administration officials, the decision to develop a system for the same has been taken.
The heads of Auto Rickshaw Vikram Mahasangh, Tata Sumo Drivers/ Owners Welfare Association and Taxi Maxi Drivers/ Owners Union attended the meeting. ADM, city magistrate and ARTO were present on behalf of the administration. It is learnt that the unions had put the proposal to the administration and the latter accepted it.
ARTO Manish Tiwari said, “We would put the proposal at the appropriate level. Once approved, it would facilitate pre-paid system at Haridwar railway station. An office would come up too to facilitate this. The people would find the fare list pasted outside the office.” He added that suitable place for the office would be earmarked.
Speaking to The Pioneer, ADM administration Jeewan Singh Nangiyal said, “We have all agreed to the imperative of introducing pre-paid system. Once implemented, it would spare the passengers being fleeced by the drivers who over-charge them at their whims. The fare structure would be fixed on the consensus the three unions would reach. We would do everything to have the pre-paid system implemented at the earliest,” he said.
The local traders have sounded happy over the decision since tiffs between the tourists and the auto-drivers are rampant over the fares. All the registered autos and taxis walas would have to get their registrations done for which the permit and license is a pre-requisite, said Nangiyal.