Two-thirds of CNGs ply without meters

CNG-run auto-rickshaws at Outer Stadium area in the port city. PHOTO: STAR

Out of 13,000, only some 5,000 four-stroke auto-rickshaws have met the deadline of October 26 to install meters.

Most of the auto-rickshaws charge higher fare from the passengers as meters installed so far are yet to be verified.

Owners of the three-wheelers and Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) enlisted meter supplying companies are blaming each other for the delay in installing meters in rest of the auto-rickshaws, sources said.

Chittagong Auto-rickshaw, Tempo, Four-stroke and CNG-run Auto-rickshaw Owners' Association (CATFCAOA) President Abul Kasem Sarder said they install 5,000 meters so far due to the non-availability of meters.

"The companies responsible for the job cannot supply us meters," Kasem said.

But the BRTA enlisted companies responsible for the installation refuted the allegation saying they have a sufficient stock of meters.

They rather blamed the reluctance of the concerned CNG auto-rickshaws for not getting the metres installed.

Sirajul Islam and Waliullah of Crystal Agencies, a BRTA enlisted company for installation, said they have capability of installing 300 meters a day.

Mujibur Rahman, assistant director of BRTA, said "We have adequate manpower and technical support to verify meters."

With a capacity of verifying 300 meters a day, BRTA could have verified some 18,000 meters in the last two months, he said.

"But, we verified only 2000 meters as the owners did not turn up for the verification," he added.

Cooperation of police and action against the auto-rickshaw owners who are reluctant to install meters could improve the situation, Mujibur said.

Md. Mahbub Hakim, deputy commissioner (DC) of Chittagong Metropolitan Police (traffic) said police action helped raise the number of installation of meters to 2000, which was only 400 a month ago.

He, however, said both the process of installation and action against the defaulters have slowed down recently due to Eid and Saarc Summit." The process of installation will get momentum soon, he added.

Meanwhile, the passengers said the delay in the installation of meter caused them to face harassment, often leading to altercation with the drivers..

"We are yet to reap the benefits of meter as the drivers keep the meters off," said Panna Das, a passenger.

Ahsanul Riton, a service holder said, "It usually costs me Tk 20 to Tk 22 to go to my office at Jamal Khan from my residence at Pathantooly Chowmuhony. But, the drivers charge me Tk 30 to Tk 40 for it."

Shahidur Rahman, an auto-driver, said "We are to charge higher fare as we have to spend Tk 60 for gas, Tk 45 for octane engine and pay Tk Tk 400 to the owner." "Besides, I need Tk 50 as pocket money which raises my daily expenses over Tk 550."