Chennai auto-rickshaws to be equipped with GPS & electronic digital printers

Chennai auto-rickshaws to be equipped with GPS & electronic digital printersTamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Sunday announced that all auto-rickshaws in the state's capital Chennai would be equipped with new meters having global positioning system (GPS) and an e-digital printer.

Jayalalithaa also announced that all the auto-rickshaws in the capital would be fitted with the meters by the government, free of cost.

The chief minister said in a statement, "For the first time in India, auto-rickshaws plying in Chennai will be fitted with GPS and electronic digital printer, free of cost, by the government, involving an outlay of Rs 80 crore."

The meters would allow drivers to provide commuters with a receipt showing the distance travelled as well as the rate charged.

The GPS will also allow authorities concerned to effectively monitor the operations of the auto-rickshaws. The meters will have a `panic button' that will allow raise alarm in case of any threat.

The government also increased the minimum tariff rate to Rs 25 for the first 1.8 kilometers, while every additional kilometer will cost Rs 12 each, effective from Sunday.