The New Nation - Internet Edition

Chittagong Correspondent

Repeated deferment of deadline for fixing fare metere in gas-run auto-rickshaws plying in the port city has not only angered commuters but also caused sharp depletion of confidence in the police department.

The traffic department of public Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) is reluctant to shoulder the responsibility of its failure in streamlining the auto-rickshaw owners and drivers in fixing fare meters. The CMP has now started blaming the commuters and the auto drivers for jeopardising its move.

Suffering of the commuters is growing when the CMP and the auto-rickshaw owners are fighting each other over the issue. None of the CMP's move to make the auto owners and drivers rational has so far been successful.

The New Commissioner of Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP), however, recently reassured that the auto-rickshaw would be brought under metering system at any cost.

Deputy Commissioner (Traffic) Mohammad Ali Mia warned cancellation of driver's licence and route permit of the auto-rickshaws for noncompliance of the public order.

The CMP men are likely to go harsh from next month and start confiscating documents of the autos on the street without fare meters.

Earlier, the traffic department set a deadline for fixing tariff meters after a joint meeting between the traffic department, auto owners and drivers. But response to the public order was absolutely poor. Only 10 to 15 per cent autos re-fixed the fare meter within the deadline.

Later, traffic department deployed 42 police sergeants to keep an eye on the autos without meters. Several check posts were also set up at the key points of the city in this connection.

Meanwhile, a number of complain booths have been opened at different key points of the city to receive complains from the commuters.