Guwahati, July 6: Autorickshaw drivers in the city are not adhering to revised fares prompting the Kamrup (metro) district transport office to initiate steps to cancel licences of defaulters.

The district transport officer (enforcement), Munin Das, told The Telegraph that they had forwarded a list of about 40 autorickshaws to the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) for cancellation of licences.

The autorickshaws mentioned in the list were seized by the enforcement branch during its drives in the past two months.

“We have been left with no other option but to be tough against them (autorickshaw drivers). We were soft in our approach thinking that they will gradually start using fare meters and charge the revised fares. They even moved Gauhati High Court against our revised fares, but the court after going through the details upheld the fares fixed by our department,” Das said.

In October last year, the RTA revised auto fares following demands for a fare hike. Auto fares were raised from Rs 10 for the first 2km to Rs 30 and Rs 15 for every subsequent kilometre.

It also made provisions that those boarding autos between 10pm and 5am will have to pay 50 per cent more than the official rate, but autorickshaw drivers continue to neglect the revised rates and charge passengers according to their whims.

“There have been many complaints on autorickshaw drivers misbehaving with passengers and tourists when they question why fare meters are not used like in other cities. We cannot allow this to continue as such behaviour brings disrepute to a city. Hundreds of tourists visit Guwahati and they face harassment from the autorickshaws soon after they get down here,” the district transport officer said.

Autorickshaw drivers continue to violate the official notification of the RTA asking them to display a fare chart fixed by the department and charge passengers according to the fare meters.

“They even do not allow passengers to take an on-the-move autorickshaw and force people to hire from stands. Those at the stands work like a gang and misbehave with those arguing with them for not using the fare meters,” said Nibedita Handique, an employee of a private company who often board autorickshaws.

“I appeal to people to pay only according to the meter and if they do not agree, passengers should note down the registration numbers and use our two helpline numbers (9707060454 and 8402010333) to lodge complaints. Our enforcement squad will take action accordingly,” Das said.

The All Guwahati Auto Drivers’ Union, however, demanded Rs 60 for the first 2km and Rs 30 for every subsequent kilometre which many termed exorbitant.