New auto calibration centre sought

With a heavy influx of autos, the unions are demanding a new office in Secunderabad

In the last two days about 20 auto rickshaw owners were sent back and told to return the following day due to the huge demand. On an average about 50-100 auto meters are calibrated at Singareni Colony and Attapur metrology offices but in the last few days the number has gone up to 350 autos a day.

With the government releasing 4,000 plus autos out of 8,725 many new owners are lining up at the offices. On Friday few auto owners were told to come later as there was no time to complete the process. Auto unions’ representatives issued a memorandum to the assistant controller of metrology on Thursday requesting for the setting up of an office in Secunderabad. “There is a lot of open space near Sanjeevaiah Park and it is an ideal location,” said one of the union leaders.

The meter seal officer first does a check and it is followed by a trial run for 2 km. Raghavendra, an auto driver said, “The last time when the government released new autos, temporary centres were opened at Indira Park and other places. Even this time if such an arrangement is done it would help.”

Residents from Secunderabad have to go all the way either to Singareni colony or Attapur. Anil Kumar, another auto driver, said, “The whole day gets wasted. The department should set up a metrology office even at Secunderabad.”