Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Oct 16: The Regional Transport Office (RTO) has ordered a retrospective review of around 25,000 auto-rickshaw meters recalibrated and installed across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) during the first 15 days of an ongoing drive, following complaints of possible lapses in prescribed testing and verification procedures.
The transport department has introduced stricter standard operating procedures (SOPs), including daily limits on repairs and testing, mandatory video recordings of physical checks and surprise inspections. The measures will apply to the wider exercise covering approximately five lakh auto-rickshaw meters.
Officials are seeking detailed records of the 25,000 meters already upgraded and installed to determine whether the required testing and approval procedures were followed and whether further action is necessary.
Additional Transport Commissioner Ravi Gaikwad said complaints received during the recalibration drive indicated that prescribed protocols might not have been strictly followed. The department subsequently formulated a revised SOP and directed all RTO officials to comply with the new rules immediately.
A senior RTO officer said the prescribed process involves repairing a meter, updating it with approved software and conducting a table test to verify its installation. Further checks must be completed before the meter is approved for installation in a vehicle, followed by verification of its functioning.
However, complaints suggested that manpower constraints may have resulted in the same person repairing a meter, updating its software and approving it for use, raising concerns about the independence of the verification process.
Under the revised rules, individual meter repairers can handle a maximum of 40 meters a day, while testing agencies are limited to 1,000 meters daily. Work beyond these limits will not be permitted.
RTO office heads across the MMR have also been instructed to deploy subordinate officers for surprise inspections of recalibration centres. The inspections will examine whether prescribed repair and testing procedures are being followed and whether the relevant registers are properly maintained.
Companies carrying out the work must submit detailed written reports and video recordings of the physical testing process for every meter processed. The records are intended to strengthen accountability and provide an audit trail.
The recalibration drive has been awarded to three vendors — Sansui, Super and Nilkanth. At a charge of Rs 700 per vehicle, the exercise covering five lakh meters represents an estimated expenditure of Rs 35 crore.