From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Jan 16: Commuters being fleeced or exploited by autorickshaw drivers can expect some relief with the Karnataka Government issuing an order making installation of digital electronic meters compulsory in all autorickshaws being operated in the State capital city of Bangalore.

Under the order issued by the State Government, all autorickshaws operating in Bangalore will have to have the digital electronic meters instead of the existing mechanical ones as part of the Transport Department’s drive to check the menace of autorickshaw drivers holding the commuters to ransom by manipulating the existing the mechanical meters, Transport and Home Minister R Ashok said on Monday.

There were 80,000 autorickshawas in the City and all of them will have to install digital meters, the minister said while indicating that no deadline has been fixed for installation of meters.

The cost of each meter would be Rs. 2,000 and the State Government would provide subsidy of Rs. 1000. Every autorickshaw operating within the City should be fitted with digital electronic meters, the Minister said.

He refused to indicate whether a similar rule will be applied all over the State or when it would be done. ``As of now, we have issued the order for autorickshaws in Bangalore,” he said.

The Minister said the Transport Department has opened a separate Regional Transport Office to regulate the burgeoning numbers of autorickshaws in the city and instill discipline among drivers.

Separate RTO for Issue of Permits to Autos in Bangalore
 
The RTO has been located at Shantinagar would provide permits to autos and issue licenses, he said.

Ashok said four Depot managers of Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation have been allegedly neglecting operational efficiency of BMTC buses in the city.

The BMTC Managing Director has been asked to issue notices to managers seeing their explanation. Later action would be taken against erring managers, he said.

Asked about reasons for increased number of bus accidents in the city, the minister said there are various reasons for accidents and neglect of maintenance of buses was one of the reasons.

Nearly 25,000 candidates have been recruited in transport corporations, including Karnataka State Transport Corporation (KSRTC) in the last three years. There is one depot for every 50 kms in the State, he said.

Austrialian Firm to Build Houses for Policemen

The State Government plans to rope in the expertise and technology from Pearls MiiHome, Australia, for construction of houses for police personnel in the State.

Ashok said about 60,000 houses to be built for providing housing for police personnel in the State. The Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation has not been able to construct the required number houses in few days on account of delay in the construction activity.

Pearls MiiHome, Australia, would construct houses in just 17 days and already they built model flats for Fire and Emergency Services personnel behind Rajajinagar Fire Station, West of Chord Road in the city.

The Department would urge Chief Minister D V Sadnanada Gowda to include the proposal on housing for policemen in the next State budget for 2012-13. Each house would be 600 sqft and it would be built at a cost of Rs. 10 lakh, he said.